Barker Road

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Length1,730 metres (5,660 ft)
Completion1898; 127 years ago (1898)
Barker Road
Western section of Barker Road, seen from the Peak Tower
Length1,730 metres (5,660 ft)
LocationVictoria Peak, Hong Kong
Construction
Completion1898; 127 years ago (1898)

Barker Road (Chinese: 白加道) is a road located on Victoria Peak, Hong Kong at an altitude of approximately 350 metres (1150 ft) above sea level with a length of about 1,7 km (1,1 mi). It starts from the Old Peak Road (below the Peak Tram Upper Terminus) and ends at Magazine Gap on Peak Road.

The road was named after George Digby Barker, a former military commander and acting administrator of Hong Kong between May and December 1891.

History

The road opened in 1898. The Public Works Department reported in its Annual Report for 1898 [1]

The Barker Road leading from Plantation Road to Magazine Gap was also completed in the year and opened for traffic, the total cost being $26,880.00. The length of this road is 5,660 feet and the ruling gradient 2 in 40, while the steepest gradients being 1 in 20 make it available for rickshaw traffic. […]

Long before completion, the road became a favourite evening walk and already three large building sites have been sold, and the erection of one European residence is well advanced.

From this report it can be seen that Barker Road originally started at Plantation Road close to the Barker Road station (then Plantation Road station). Later the part from the station to the (Old) Peak Road was renamed from Plantation to Barker Road.

Peak tram stop

On the western end of Barker Road is the Barker Road stop of the Peak Tram. The tram runs over Barker Road on a bridge creating a narrow tunnel.

Downhill tram near the Barker Road stop (taken from Plantation Road). Barker Road runs downhill under the bridge making a right turn.

Houses

Victoria Hospital

References

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