I READ with interest the article by Adam Oliver on the accusations by the chief executive of the Hongkong Automobile Association about road neglect by the Government. I am not an expert in this field but, when comparing Hongkong with other countries in the region, it appears the Highways Department has done a reasonable job, especially if one takes into the account the bureaucracy that often delays the granting of resources to keep pace with traffic demands. Surprisingly, the article does not mention the Highways Department's nemesis - the Transport Branch. A few years ago, I recall the Transport Branch gleefully announcing that it had been issuing permits for road works at an average of 100 a day. That seems to be the problem. It issues the permit and then promptly forgets all about it. It is generally accepted that roads are dug up and left unworked for a period of time in about 20 per cent of the cases. This obviously causes disruption to the flow of traffic. The number of these virtually uncontrolled road works costs the territory millions of dollars every year in delays in the delivery of goods, and fuel consumption. And there is the additional problem of increased pollution. Perhaps the Government and the Transport Department could, in the future, keep the number of permits issued for road works to a sensible minimum. How about it, Transport Department? NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
