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    Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (March 9) :

Question:

    Since the commissioning of the Ma On Shan Rail (MOSR) in December last year, I have incessantly received complaints from residents along the MOSR about the noise nuisances caused by running trains.  In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) of the total number of complaints about the noise nuisances related to the MOSR received by the relevant government departments and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) since the commissioning of the MOSR;

(b) of the highest and average noise levels generated by trains running along the MOSR; and

(c) although the noise levels generated by trains running along the MOSR have not exceeded the statutory limit, whether the authorities will advise the KCRC to adopt further measures to abate the noise nuisances caused to the residents; if so, of the details of the measures; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

    Since the commissioning of the Ma On Shan Rail (MOS Rail) on December 21, 2004, the Government and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) respectively received 15 and 14 complaints relating to MOS Rail train noise.  

    Train noise generated by MOS Rail during its operation is controlled under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) (Cap 400).  The NCO limits are measured via the 30-minute equivalent level in unit of A-weighted decibels (dB(A)), which is a commonly used international standard.  So far, the results of noise measurement conducted by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and KCRC show that the noise levels at all locations along MOS Rail have consistently complied with the NCO limits, which are 50, 55 or 60 dB(A) (depending on the locations).  MOS Rail has also satisfied the planning criterion on the maximum sporadic noise level under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap 499), which is 85dB(A).

    The Government encourages KCRC to maintain a close dialogue with affected residents and has referred their concerns about MOS Rail train noise to KCRC for consideration.  It is the Government's objective to encourage KCRC to continuously improve its service including the environmental protection aspect.  Indeed, KCRC has taken the approach to mitigate MOS Rail train noise at source by adopting a multi-plenum system.  Other noise abatement measures taken include putting noise absorbing lining under the train car, beneath the walkways along the tracks and on the inside of the parapets, adding "skirts" to train vehicles, installing floating slab track and rubber bearings, and extending the walkways and parapets at critical sections.  While it will be beyond EPD's statutory power to direct KCRC to adopt further noise abatement measures with all the findings showing that MOS Rail has complied with the statutory limits under the NCO, EPD will closely monitor MOS Rail's performance to ensure its continuous compliance.  We also understand that KCRC is prepared to explore suitable measures where appropriate to fortify the effectiveness of its present noise abatement measures.  We are in support of this.

Ends/Wednesday, March 9, 2005

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