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SCMP Reporter

The column for anyone fed up with bureaucracy, frustrated with delays or furious with poor service. Tell us your complaint and we'll try to fix it ...

A reader saw  an accident on Sha Wan Drive, Pok Fu Lam, and wants to know why there are no traffic lights on  the street. The accident happened on October 24 shortly before 5pm, according to police.

'Having just seen a child hit by a car, I am left wondering why there is not a single traffic light controlled crosswalk or any form of speed control on Sha Wan Drive,' she wrote. 'The road runs between the Stanley Ho Sports Centre, the Duchess of Kent Hospital, a home for the elderly and Kennedy School. It is a very busy pedestrian area and people of all ages are at risk. Let's hope the injured child recovers quickly.'

The accident occurred when a  car heading to Aberdeen, grazed a six-year-old boy  on Sha Wan Drive.

Police said the boy sustained minor injuries and was treated at Queen Mary Hospital. The Transport Department said traffic lights were not necessary.

'Our site investigation and checking of accident statistics show that the road section in question is operating without problem and vehicle volumes/pedestrian usage are observed to be not particularly high,' a Transport Department spokesman said.

'The installation of traffic-light-controlled crossings is therefore considered unwarranted. Pedestrians are advised to observe traffic carefully and cross the road during gaps of no or light approaching traffic. There is no sight-line problem for the pedestrians to observe the traffic conditions during the crossing of the road. Traffic signs have been installed on site to remind the vehicles of the safety of the pedestrian crossing. We will continue to monitor the situation.'

A Sai Kung reader wrote to complain that phone poles being put up by Hutchison Telecom along Clear Water Bay Road and Tai Au Mun Road are an eyesore in the scenic countryside.

'These pylons have been erected with total disregard to the environmental and visual impact to one of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the countryside,' he wrote.

'Many of the thick, black cables have already been connected between the tops of the pylons, creating an unpleasant obstruction of the peaceful view and totally ruining the ambience of the natural environment. The feeling the pylons creates is like an army of daggers piercing the sky, and anyone who knows and believes in fung shui would readily be aware of the unease caused by such offensive objects.

'How can this monstrosity be permitted, especially in a place like Hong Kong, a so-called enlightened world city?

'I would like to know what procedures have been gone through to allow such pylons to be erected in disregard of the environmental and visual impact?

'Which government department is responsible and gave approval? This is a situation of growing concern, as within a matter of days these pylons have encroached upon a much-loved and scenic area of the countryside and it is obvious that more and more of the environment will be infected with visual pollution, not only in Clear Water Bay but other areas of Sai Kung. Where next?

'This must be stopped, and the scenic environment must be returned to its former peaceful state. Would the responsible government departments care to clarify what is going on?'

The Lands Department is the government agency that granted the permit, while Hutchison Telecom is putting up the poles to extend mobile phone coverage in the area and the Clear Water Bay country park. The Hutchison network can be used by customers of other mobile phone services to make emergency calls from  the country park. 'About 200 telephone poles have been installed to ensure adequate mobile coverage in the area, benefitting the residents, tourists and holidaymakers,' Hutchison said.

The project has been stopped temporarily for talks on easing the 'eyesore' effect.

As a customer service column, we periodically run letters that commend exemplary services such as this one from Isabella Luk, who wrote to thank the doctors and nursing staff at ward K5S of Queen Mary Hospital.

'Having undergone a major operation and been hospitalised at K5S for a month, I observe that these medical professionals serve patients with great respect.

'At the ward, the doctors are patient and cheerful. They are encouraging and considerate while consulting patients about their health conditions and progress. The ward manager and nurses are very kind and are encouraging and considerate too. Every time they take over their duty, they usually have a comfortable brief conversation with patients. That is very soothing and works well with patients on their way to recovery.

'Doctors, nurses, health-care assistants and other staff members of K5S QM, please accept our sincere appreciation to you all. Thank you for your care, support and healing. And, most of all, thank you for being so considerate to let patients have  dignity while  in their sick beds. Your genuine respect for work and patients, high quality of service and professionalism touch our hearts.



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