WE notice once more in the letters columns of the South China Morning Post, in reference to the ugly methods of slope stabilisation produced by the Government (Keith McNab, May 24) and the response from A. Hansen for the Principal Government Geotechnical Engineer (May 27).
We sympathise with Mr McNab but must take umbrage with Mr Hansen.
Favourable comments regarding the works at Tai Tam Road refer to a project sponsored by the Hong Kong International School at Redhill through Acer Consultants and implemented by ourselves.
The only government involvement to our knowledge was the satisfaction expressed by the Country Parks Authority that someone had finally taken the initiative.
We now have another two well-established examples of colour enhanced slopes thanks to the enlightenment of private clients.
To be fair to the Government, we know that it is aware of the problem and is trying to remedy it, however, budgets are tight and the methods of control are difficult to implement particularly in tender situations. We believe the lurid green effort on New Clear Water Bay Road opposite Shun Lee Tsuen to be an example of how badly wrong the current system can go. But the Government does have an approvals committee for inspection of designs for Bridge and Retaining Walls (ACABAS) and perhaps the scope of this committee could be expanded. The Government keeps a variety of registers for specialist works and perhaps a new one could be established for contractors able to do this work and who are regularly monitored. Nomination of competent contractors should therefore be feasible.