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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han, and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Transport, Mr Kevin Ho, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question : Regarding the provision of passageways for physically handicapped persons, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it has plans to carry out improvement works on pedestrian ways which do not have kerb ramps at present; if so, what the specific timetables are;

(b) whether it has plans to carry out improvement works on pedestrian footbridges, pedestrian subways and passages which do not have passageways for physically handicapped persons at present; and to install indication signs on those facilities on which improvement works cannot be carried out, or those which have passageways for physically handicapped persons on one side only; and

(c) in view of the fact that the relevant code of design practice which was implemented last year is not applicable to buildings which were completed before the code came into effect, whether the Administration will encourage owners of these buildings, through the provision of an allowance, to improve the facilities for physically handicapped persons at their buildings?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Dropped kerb has been made a standard provision for all new pedestrian crossings. For existing pedestrian crossings which do not yet have dropped kerbs, they will be provided in conjunction with road maintenance and reconstruction projects which average about 40 per year. In addition, about 400 dropped kerbs are provided every year at existing crossings outside the road maintenance and reconstruction programme to meet requests made in respect of individual crossings which are frequently used by disabled persons. In the last 12 months, 434 dropped kerbs have been constructed in response to such request from the public. Priority will be given to crossings located in the vicinity of major public transport terminals and facilities frequently used by the disabled.

(b) For newly constructed footbridges and subways owned by the Government, ramps for the disabled will normally be provided. If a ramp cannot be provided owing to site constraints, and a reasonably convenient alternative crossing point is not available, consideration may be given to the provision of a lift for the disabled. For privately owned footbridges and subways, the Government will stipulate a mandatory requirement in the lease conditions for the owner to provide 24-hour access to the disabled through the property development if they are connected to footbridges and subways with facilities for the disabled. Site constraints sometimes make provision of ramps on existing footbridges and subways on one end or both ends impractical. There are 53 footbridges and subways which have access facilities only at one end. A programme is now in hand to put up advisory signs at these footbridges and subways to alert the disabled persons and advise them the direction to the most convenient alternative crossings. It is expected that the programme will be completed in about 12 months.

(c) Although the code of design practice cannot be applied to buildings completed before it came into effect, the Building Authority is empowered by the Building (Planning) Regulations and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance not to approve building plans for alterations and additions to an existing building unless the person seeking approval satisfies him that access for persons with a disability as is reasonable in circumstances to the building will be provided. We envisage access to existing buildings will be gradually improved. It should be noted in many existing buildings it is not the lack of money but technical constraints which make it difficult for them to be upgraded for the easier access of persons with a disability unless they undergo major alterations. The Administration does not consider it appropriate to offer monetary allowance to owners of private property for such alterations.

End/Wednesday, November 11, 1998

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