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Following is a question by the Hon Tam heung-man and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 2):
Question:
I have received complaints that some Home Ownership Scheme estates in Diamond Hill have been plagued by the traffic noise from the Tate's Cairn Highway since the completion of the estates, and the noise level in the area is also higher than as stipulated in the law, but no noise mitigation facilities have been put in place there. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it plans to install any noise mitigation facilities at the above location to solve the noise problem; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) whether it has consulted the relevant District Council on the above problem; if it has, of the consultation results and progress of the follow-up actions; if not, when such consultation will be carried out; and
(c) whether it has reviewed the existing policy on the provision of noise mitigation facilities on busy roads; if it has, of the review results and progress of the follow-up actions; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
The Government is always very concerned about road traffic noise problem and has developed a set of standards for road traffic noise levels for schools and residential premises. These standards, however, are not statutory. The Government will seek to achieve these standards by means of land use planning and engineering solutions etc.
We have conducted a feasibility study on building noise barriers or enclosures along the section of Tate's Cairn Highway near Rhythm Garden. The findings indicate that the road section in question does not have additional capability for supporting noise barriers or enclosures. If noise barriers are to be built, a separate structure must be erected for support. However, owing to the limited space, it is not suitable to erect a separate structure and it is therefore not feasible to build noise barriers or enclosures along the road section. To alleviate the impact of traffic noise on residents of nearby housing estates, we have paved the section of Tate's Cairn Highway near Rhythm Garden with noise-reducing materials. The Highways Department (HyD) has also inspected and repaired damages to expansion joints and uneven surfaces on the road section so as to further reduce the noise generated by passing vehicles.
A representative of Environmental Protection Department (EPD) attended the meeting of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Committee of the Wong Tai Sin District Council (WTSDC) on March 30, 2004 to discuss the matter with members. At the meeting, the representative of EPD explained to members that it was not technically feasible to build noise barriers along the road section. Moreover, representatives of EPD, HyD and Transport Department conducted a joint site visit with three WTSDC members on May 19, 2004. We will continue to consult the District Council on road traffic noise matters.
The Government will continue to actively implement the existing policy of providing noise mitigation measures along busy roads through administrative measures, subject to the availability of financial resources, the established criteria and the priority accorded. Construction works of noise barriers along two sections of Fanling Highway and Cheung Pei Shan Road have already commenced. We will closely monitor the effectiveness of such works on mitigating road traffic noise and will review the existing policy if necessary. Moreover, we will keep abreast of new technology in mitigating road traffic noise and make reference to overseas experience.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:53
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