First Batch of Properties for BFA Facilities Upgrade

The Link Management Ltd ("The Link") will start upgrading the barrier free access (BFA) facilities at 17 of its shopping centres in the coming six months including:

New Territories	Wo Che Plaza, Kwai Fong Plaza, Siu Lung Shopping Centre, Chun Shek Shopping Centre, Kwai Hing Shopping Centre, Yat Tung Shopping Centre, Sun Tin Wai Shopping Centre, Yin Lai Shopping Centre, Mei Lam Shopping Centre, Retail within Mei Chung Court
Kowloon	Retail within Lok Nga Court, Homantin Plaza, Shun On Shopping Centre, Tin Ma Shopping Centre, Retail within Ko Chun Court, Lok Wah (South) Shopping Centre, Wong Tai Sin Market & Car Park

The Link will adopt the Best Practicable Principle which will enable it to comply with the standards set out in the Buildings Department: “Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008” and other associated requirements.

The upgrading works of the BFA facilities will, after taking into consideration on the onsite situation and environment factors, provide meet-the-needs facilities particularly for people with disabilities, the elderly, people with physical limitations, pregnant women and families with young children. Such provisions include tactile guide paths, accessible customer service counters, accessible toilets, visual fire alarm systems, disabled car parks, ramps, Braille layout plans and accessible lifts.

From now on and at three months’ intervals, The Link will announce a new list of retail properties for BFA upgrading works to be started in the coming six months, and will at the same time report or conclude the works that have been done in the past three months.

Regarding the eight properties recommended for BFA upgrading works by Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), with the exception of large scale structural changes or installation of lift facilities, more than 90% of the works have been completed by March 2011 in five shopping centres (Tai Wo, Tai Hing, Fu Tung, Tsz Wan Shan, Siu Sai Wan) and two car parks (Kwai Hing and Tsz Lok). The remaining property – Oi Man shopping centre which is currently undergoing overall Asset Enhancement works, will have the BFA facilities upgraded in 2012 as part of the enhancement works. EOC was satisfied with the progress of the BFA works at these eight properties under The Link.

The Link had appointed BFA expert Mr Joseph Kwan as its Access Advisor. An Access Advisory Group was formed subsequently with over ten major rehabilitation organizations being invited as members. Through regular meetings and onsite inspections, members can share their views and opinions on the best practicable solutions for the BFA upgrading works to be done at the Link’s properties.