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The Buildings Department (BD) announced today (February 12) that units at 49 Ma Tau Wai Road that were temporarily closed due to the emergency works nearby had been re-opened at 1pm. The affected residents could return home after 1pm for the Lunar New Year.
A Buildings Department spokesman said that the loose and most dangerous parts of 45H Ma Tau Wai Road had been successfully removed. The removed parts included the balconies from the first to fourth floors, as well as the seriously damaged portion facing Ma Tau Wai Road on the third and fourth floors. BD staff had also inspected the adjacent buildings and considered them structurally safe. The BD decided to lift the closure orders of those units at 49 Ma Tau Wai Road, that is, a shop on the ground floor and first floor of the building at 49 Ma Tau Wai Road, as well as a flat each on the second to fifth floors of the same building.
"We are fully aware of the strong hope of the affected residents. As soon as the safety threats on 49 Ma Tau Wai Road were eliminated, we lifted the closure orders immediately so that they could return home for the Lunar New Year," the spokesman said.
The buildings at 45E and 45F, which are also temporarily closed for the emergency works, will remain closed until the adjoining buildings at 45G and 45H cease to pose any danger. If the results of inspection indicate that 45G and 45H need to be demolished, then 45E and 45F will remain closed until the demolition works are completed.
Depending on the actual condition of the buildings at 45G and 45H, BD staff will try to enter the premises and conduct an initial inspection. Detailed inspection, assessment and analysis will take several days. The BD will then determine whether the two buildings should be partly demolished or torn down entirely.
"Depending on the results of the inspection, we will consider with caution whether it is possible to arrange for the residents to return to their units and collect their valuable items," the spokesman said, "The safety of the residents is of utmost importance. If it is dangerous for the residents to move around or move anything inside the buildings at 45G and 45H, the BD will co-ordinate with other departments and arrange for them to get back their belongings after the demolition."
The spokesman added that the department would not carry out works at the site concerned during the Lunar New Year holidays in order not to cause any nuisance to residents nearby. BD staff will continue to closely monitor 45H and the buildings in the vicinity. Members of the public can put their hearts at ease.
Ends/Friday, February 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:20
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