Lawmakers have called on the government to better utilise a 60-kilometre trail connecting promenades and countryside paths that encircles Hong Kong Island, with suggestions including introducing catering facilities.

The government has sought to develop the "Round-the-Island Trail" on the city's second-largest island by linking up waterfront promenades on the northern shore and a number of existing promenades and countryside walking trails in Southern District.

Authorities have connected 85 percent of the paths, while aiming to reach 90 percent next year and largely complete the remaining works by the end of 2031.

At a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, several lawmakers including Chan Hok-fung and Steven Ho of the DAB suggested the government introduce more food and beverage options along the route.

Fellow lawmaker Kenneth Fok, for his part, asked officials about their expectations as to the economic value generated by the trail, with Development Secretary Bernadette Linn saying authorities have not carried out a comprehensive analysis.

"I have to confess that we don't have a study on the cost-effectiveness of the project looking into how many catering facilities we ought to put on the entire waterfront promenades," Linn said.

"But if we have some catering facilities in future, I believe we will be happy to carry out a relatively comprehensive arrangement."

The minister also said the government will consult the public later this year on constructing a pedestrian walkway in Kennedy Town, as officials are exploring using the amended Protection of the Harbour Ordinance to build a boardwalk or seawall along New Praya through small-scale reclamation.

Another option is to provide a pedestrian pathway using methods that do not require reclamation, Linn added.