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Following is a question by Dr Hon Priscilla Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (April 1):
Question:
I have recently received complaints from residents of Prosperous Garden in Yau Ma Tei, pointing out that at present, the road traffic noise and exhaust gases generated from the heavy vehicle flows on the several elevated roads on the west side of their estate have caused serious nuisance to their daily life. In addition, as the Western Tunnel Portal of the Central Kowloon Route which the Government is planning to construct will be located on the west side of the estate, they worry that the nuisances caused to them may worsen in the future. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of relevant complaints received by the authorities from the estate's residents in the past three years and their main content; and
(b) what criteria are adopted by the authorities at present in considering the installation of noise barriers on road sections which are close to residential buildings; how many road sections in Hong Kong are not installed with noise barriers even though they meet such criteria; and whether they include the section of Gascoigne Road Flyover near Ferry Street, which is adjacent to the estate?
Reply:
President,
(a) The number of complaints about road traffic noise and exhaust gases lodged with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Highways Department (HD) by residents of Prosperous Garden in Yau Ma Tei over the past three years is as follows:
Number of complaints:
2006: 0
2007: 0
2008: 7 *
* Multiple complaints lodged by the same complainant are counted as a single complaint.
The complaints were mainly about noise and air pollution caused by passing vehicles, as well as the lack of noise barriers along the concerned road section.
(b) To mitigate the impact on local residents, it is the Government's policy to consider installing noise barriers along existing road sections with excessive noise as far as practicable and subject to availability of resources. Technical criteria to be considered in the process include:
(1) whether the noise barrier/enclosure will obstruct emergency access or hinder fire fighting efforts;
(2) whether the noise barrier/enclosure will affect road safety or obstruct the flow of pedestrians and traffic; and
(3) whether there is adequate space and structural capability (applicable to flyovers) for supporting the noise barrier/enclosure.
At present, 36 road sections are included in the Public Works Programme for retrofitting of noise barriers. Works on two road sections have been completed, 10 are underway, two are about to start and two will be upgraded to Category A. Works on the remaining 20 road sections will be implemented by phases under the Public Works Programme and Resource Allocation Exercise. EPD and HD will continue to explore the need and feasibility of retrofitting noise barriers along existing road sections with high traffic noise. Resources permitting, the retrofitting projects will cover more road sections.
The section of Gascoigne Road Flyover near Ferry Street is not covered by the above works programme mainly because this road section is a flyover built many years ago. After careful evaluation by relevant departments, the road section is found to be incapable of bearing the extra load. Furthermore, due to a bend on the road section, noise barriers may affect drivers' sightline and pose a road safety problem. Therefore, it is not feasible to install noise barriers on this road section.
Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:12
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