Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung on Thursday said he would continue to explain the benefits of a proposed new road in Sha Tin to the public and legislators to gain their support for the project.

The government last month withdrew its application to Legco of more than HK$7.1 billion in funding for the Trunk Road T4, which connects major roads on both sides of the Shing Mun River.

Writing on a social media post, the transport minister said the project could be completed within six years if the funding application was approved by Legco.

Lam said traffic conditions in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan would continue to deteriorate if the project does not go ahead.

“The travel time between Ma On Shan Town Center, and the Shing Mun Tunnel Road and the Tsing Sha Highway during peak hours will be significantly reduced by 40 percent, from about 20 minutes to about 12 minutes [after T4 Trunk road is built],” he said.

“Without the T4 Trunk Road, we expect traffic conditions in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan to continue to worsen, and even block the traffic network in the New Territories East.”

Lam dismissed criticism the project was using public funds ineffectively, saying every transportation infrastructure project serves its own purpose.

“Some have even suggested that surrounding projects such as the Sha Tin Bypass or the widening of the T6 Bridge could be used as alternatives. In fact, people who are familiar with the local traffic should understand that the Sha Tin Bypass and the widening of the T6 Bridge have different functions and address traffic congestion on different road sections and directions,” he said.

“As the saying goes, ‘distant water cannot save a nearby fire,’ the construction of T4 is a matter of urgency, and any time wasting will only disappoint residents of the area.”