Old road
I refer to the letter from J.R. Law headlined, 'Chaotic', which appeared in the Sunday Morning Post, on July 23, concerning works along Victoria Road.
Victoria Road is one of the older roads in Hong Kong and, as such, many aspects of the existing road are sub-standard.
A series of contracts has been awarded to improve the situation and the section between Sassoon Road and Pokfulam Road Fire Station is the last of these contracts.
Apart from improving the road alignment, other improvements include - a new street lighting system; provision of adequate footpaths; stabilisation of upper and lower slopes; installation of new utility equipment, and upgrading of other utilities.
I would also like to respond to Mr Law's specific points raised in a general sense. Repairs to the existing street lighting have been made during the course of the contract. Where existing lighting columns have been removed for the works to proceed alternative temporary lighting has been provided.
There was one particular lighting column located between Baguio Villa and Sassoon Road, damaged by a traffic accident in mid-June, which, because of its location, was difficult to repair.
However, it was reinstated and switched on on the night of August 1. Several sections of the existing Victoria Road either did not have a footpath, or it was very narrow. The contractor for the works has provided footpaths where they did not exist.
However, following a recent inspection, it acknowledged that the footpaths could be better defined, signed and guarded.
Improvements are already underway.
Grass cutting next to the existing narrow pavements has been carried out and will be stepped up.
The existing carriageway surface, especially for the section between Baguio Villa and Sassoon Road, is in a poor condition and has needed constant temporary repairs during the course of the contract. This has been undertaken diligently, weather permitting.
However, potholes generally appear during and after prolonged periods of rainfall and repairs can only be carried out once the surface has dried.
Detailed planning of traffic diversions had to be endorsed by the Transport and Highways departments, the police and relevant parties prior to their implementation.
All temporary traffic diversion measures have been carried out in accordance with the relevant code of practice and site safety manual.
Regular inspections by full-time resident site staff were arranged to ensure temporary measures were properly maintained.
The Labour Department has also made regular site visits to ensure that safety standards are acceptable.
W. H. LUK
Senior Engineer/Highways
Complaints
Highways Department
