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Following is a question by the Dr Hon David Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (July 11):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the names of the private housing estates in Hong Kong having, within their boundaries, private roads the total length of which exceeds three kilometres, together with the total length of private roads within each of these estates; and
(b) whether the Police are authorised to enforce the provisions in the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) on these roads?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) According to available information, private housing developments in Hong Kong with private roads of a total length of more than three kilometres within their boundaries, and their respective lengths, are as follows -
Private Housing Approximate Length
Development of Private Roads (km)
Fairview Park, Yuen Long 25.7
Palm Springs, Yuen Long 6.1
Royal Palms, Yuen Long 5.1
Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po 9.0
Discovery Bay, Lantau 14.0
(b) A number of provisions in the Road Traffic Ordinance (the Ordinance) (Cap. 374) apply to private roads as they similarly apply to public roads. Section 117 of the Ordinance sets out the specific sections that equally apply to private roads. The Police can take enforcement actions in respect of traffic offences committed on private roads under these sections, which cover safety-related offences including, but not limited to, careless driving, speeding, dangerous driving, dangerous driving causing death and drink driving. Apart from that, Section 118 of the Ordinance further stipulates that unless otherwise specified, all regulations made under the Ordinance (except those relating to parking) shall apply to private roads.
Under the Road Traffic (Parking on Private Roads) Regulations (Cap. 374O), the owners of private roads are empowered to impound and/or tow away any vehicle that fails to be parked properly in designated areas of the private roads. Under Section 4 of the Fixed Penalty (Traffic Contraventions) Ordinance (Cap. 237), the Police can also take enforcement action against vehicles left standing on private roads which cause unnecessary obstruction or danger to other persons using the road.
Ends/Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:46
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