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Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Cheng and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (October 29):
Question:
Recently, I have received complaints alleging that traffic noise and air pollution problems along the section of Gascoigne Road Flyover near Ferry Street have caused nuisances to residents nearby. Moreover, in a paper submitted to the Panel on Transport of this Council in May this year, the Transport and Housing Bureau indicated that a consultancy study on the Central Kowloon Route (CKR) was being conducted, and the study would continue to examine the reprovisioning of the Flyover, including the installation of noise barriers and the implementation of other appropriate measures, so as to maintain smooth traffic along the Flyover during the construction of CKR. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective average daily vehicle flows as well as the noise and air pollutant levels during peak and non-peak hours at the above road section in the past five years; and whether the noise levels concerned have exceeded the statutory standard and;
(b) when the above study on the reprovisioning of the Gascoigne Road Flyover or the installation of noise barriers is expected to complete, and whether the Government has short-term measures in place to mitigate the noise at this road section; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) In the past five years, the average daily vehicle flow at the road section of Gascoigne Road Flyover near Ferry Street is as follows:
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Average daily flow 50,500 48,300 55,000 54,600 55,200
(no. of vehicles)
During daytime peak hours, the maximum hourly vehicle flow was about 3,300 vehicles and the highest traffic noise levels at the road section ranged from 75 to 78 dB(A). The proposed reprovisioning of the Gascoigne Road Flyover is a designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). Its traffic noise limit will be 70 dB(A).
Because of similar land uses and development density, the air quality in the vicinity of the above road section is similar to that in other communities in Kowloon. In the past five years, although the respirable suspended particulates (RSP) concentration in Kowloon slightly fell short of Hong Kong¡¦s air quality objectives (AQOs), the concentrations of other key air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), were lower than the ceilings of Hong Kong¡¦s AQOs. The data is listed below:
Annual average concentrations of common pollutants in Kowloon in the past five years:
Unit: £gg/m3 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 AQO
SO2 21 28 24 24 20 80
NO2 66 70 65 67 69 80
RSP 55 60 56 55 57 55
Note: The monitoring station for measuring Kowloon¡¦s ambient air quality is located at Sham Shui Po.
(b)The planned reprovisioning of Gascoigne Road Flyover is part of the proposed Central Kowloon Route. The relevant study being undertaken by the Highways Department is scheduled to complete in mid-2009.
As part of the study, the Highways Department will prepare an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on whether the environmental impacts of the project during its construction and operation (including the cumulative impacts caused by the neighbouring road networks) meet the requirements and standards set out in the EIAO and its Technical Memorandum. Where necessary, all practicable mitigation measures for the works must be taken, including the installation of noise barriers and other appropriate measures, to reduce noise impact on residents in the neighbourhood. According to the requirements of the EIAO, the EIA report will be displayed for public inspection and comment and also submitted to the Advisory Council on the Environment for consideration. The Council will make recommendations to the Director of Environmental Protection on whether the proposals should be accepted.
This section of Gascoigne Road Flyover has now been paved with noise reduction surfacing materials to reduce traffic noise. The Highways Department will monitor the conditions of the road surfaces and carry out road surface repairs where necessary to reduce the noise generated by vehicles using the flyover.
Ends/Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:25
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