******************************************************
The Government welcomed the direct investigation report on Government Measures for Street Management released by the Ombudsman today (December 18).
ˇ§We will carefully consider the Ombudsmanˇ¦s recommendations and report progress in six months,ˇ¨ a government spokesman said.
The Ombudsman's direct investigation report covers three issues of street management ˇV
(a)indiscriminate placing of skips at roadside;
(b)illegal parking of bicycles; and
(c)obstruction and nuisances from on-street promotional activities.
The Government is concerned about the nuisances and inconvenience caused and has strengthened public education on and enforcement against these activities.
Cycling is a convenient and inexpensive mode of transport for residents, in particular those of the New Territories, for travelling short distances. To tackle the problem of illegally parked bicycles causing obstruction and other nuisances, the Government has been adopting a three-pronged strategy, covering public education, provision of more bicycle parking facilities, and enforcement action.
ˇ§The primary aim of our enforcement action against illegally parked bicycles is to prevent public obstruction and ensure road safety,ˇ¨ the spokesman said.
In recent months, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has launched a pilot scheme to take prosecution action on easy-mount stands in Wan Chai and Yau Tsim Mong districts. The ground situation has improved noticeably following the trial, with positive feedback from the relevant District Councils and the public.
ˇ§On-street promotional activities provide employment opportunities to low-skilled workers and we have to be mindful of this when considering the strategy, especially under the current economic situation,ˇ¨ the spokesman said.
The Ombudsman has made a series of recommendations on areas for improvement in tackling these three street management issues. The Government will study them carefully, while taking into account public expectations, and report progress to the Ombudsman in six months.
Ends/Thursday, December 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:29
NNNN
