Demolition notices leave balconies unprotected

Because of a Catch 22 absurdity plus bureaucracy run riot in the Buildings Department, a time bomb is about to explode for thousands of Hong Kong dwellers unfortunate enough to occupy first-floor flats.

We are being forced to dismantle the roofs over our balconies, previously tolerated since they protect us from the daily rain of rubbish thrown from upper-floor apartments.

In December, the Buildings Department served demolition notices requiring the removal of these roofs and the supporting steel structures. If I remove my roof, the daily barrage of detritus will certainly continue, but on to my unprotected balcony and the washing that I hang there, effectively denying me the use of an important part of my premises.

The common-sense thing would be for the department to rescind these removal notices and concentrate on the more serious problem of dangerous illegal structures. I would like the head of the department to detail what consultations took place with the heads of the Health and Environmental Protection departments to ensure that occupants' balconies would be protected against the daily dumping of filth. And since littering is an offence, what anti-littering action was agreed beforehand with the Secretary for Security? Will dumped items be examined by police for fingerprints and the litterers prosecuted?

GEOFFREY SOMERS

Sheung Wan