Proposed second Peak Tram – 1908 – the route and objections

IDJ has sent the following:

The merit of the scheme lay in the provision of a service to the Mid-Levels at Robinson Road.

The scheme was opposed by residents near to the line of the proposed tramway, in particular by the Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong, the Right Reverend Bishop Pozzoni, who objected on the grounds that a tresstle bridge over Glenealy would cause too much noise and interfere with religious services in the Cathedral and lessons in the nearby Mission School. An alternative route through the Botanic Gardens was rejected on engineering grounds and the proposals were withdrawn by the promoters. It is interesting to note that a study on traffic in the Central and Mid-Levels area started in 1982 included an examination of some form of moving pavement roughly on the same line as the earlier tramway proposal.”(1)

Tymon Mellor has sent the following. Namely, an objection to the building of the New Peak Tramway dated 30th Nov 1908.

“A humble petition of Domenico Pozzoni, Vicar Apostolic of the Roman Catholic Church on behalf of the Roman Catholic Community of Hongkong”

‘New’ because this was a proposed second tramway which came to nothing. I wonder how much this was  result of the objections of the Vicar Apostolic?

Thanks again to Richard McGeough for retyping this: 6. Your Petitioner is informed that it is proposed to carry the said Tramway for a considerable portion of its length on a steel trestle Viaduct 50 feet or thereabouts in height directly in front of the principal entrance to the said Cathedral and within 80 yards or thereabouts thereof, and your Petitioner is informed and believes that the noise caused by cars passing over such a trestle Viaduct and the noise occasioned by the traction Cables passing over the guide pulleys will be so loud as to be distracting to the devotion of those engaged in prayer, or in other religious observances in the said Cathedral. And further that such distracting noise will be almost continuous when cars are running on the said Tramway.(2)

This article was first posted on 14th September 2014 and updated on 2nd May 2017.

Sources:

1. The Development of Public Transport in Hong Kong, PF Leeds, 1984
2. Peak Tram– Catholic Church objection 1908

Related Indhhk articles:

• Peak Tram, The
• Peak Tram, 1926 details of new engine and winding gear
• Peak Tram – Abt Passing Loop
• Peak Tram – additional information
• Peak Tramways – additional locations and alterations
• The Peak Tram – How it works
• Peak Tram – Michael Rogge film 1962 plus Peak views, Repulse Bay, Central scenes
• Peak Tram, Proposed second, Catholic Church objections
• Peak Tram, the Ward Leonard System Installed 1926