Clean-up call for polluted Central
Officials should turn Central into a model district where pollution is kept to a minimum, a group of legislators and district councillors from the Democratic Party said yesterday.
In a meeting with Transport Department officials, the Democrats, led by chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming, submitted an advisory paper that outlined a plan to turn the badly polluted district into a designated air quality control zone.
The Democrats called for an extension of the elevated walkway system in the district and the creation of more escalators similar to the one to Mid-Levels, to encourage people to walk.
Speaking after a meeting with Commissioner for Transport Robert Footman, party environmental affairs spokesman Law Chi-kwong called for swift action.
'Declaring Central a designated zone would show that the Government has the vision to clear up the mess. You only need to walk around in Central to know how bad it is. We have to make Central a model downtown,' Mr Law said.
The party's research showed that last year there were 23 days where the air pollution index in Central reached between 100 and 200, meaning a high level of pollution.
The party urged the Government to study plans to create discounted circular bus routes linking Admiralty and Sheung Wan, reducing traffic and improving air quality. Mr Law said the Government should crack down on smoky vehicles more often.
He said the party had reached an understanding with Mr Footman on the issues and the department had promised to study the proposal.
