What do you think of the Victoria Park pool plan? There is a proposal to build an indoor swimming centre in Victoria Park ('Loss of outdoor pools opposed', May 6). Is there also a proposal to erect a shopping plaza on top of this pool? Ah yes, it's another ill-conceived idea from the government. The reality of Hong Kong is that it is an environmental nightmare in terms of its air pollution levels and lack of quality outdoor space in its urban areas. This poorly planned proposal, which would cost HK$1.07 billion, is hardly a surprise. While there may be a strong demand for indoor pools, the proposal to build indoor swimming areas in Victoria Park merely shows the lack of exposure that the officials have had to year-long sports facilities. The swimming season is already too short. It would be much better to take better advantage of the local climate by extending the current [outdoor pool] swimming season (currently April-October) an extra two months and build outdoor heated pools. An outdoor heated pool allows people to swim in warm water while enjoying the outside air. Anyone who has experienced this would agree that swimming outdoors in the middle of winter in a heated pool is a far superior way to exercise than in an indoor heated pool. The indoor pool is really designed for places with extremely cold winters. If the government wants to cater to those who demand an indoor pool, it should be examining outdoor year-long sports facilities in warm weather climates. For example, numerous international Olympic swimmers train at the University of Arizona's Olympic-size outdoor heated pools. The coldest month in Tucson, Arizona, is January, with temperatures ranging from 3-17 degrees Celsius. Hong Kong's coldest month is February with temperatures hovering from 14-19 degrees. An outdoor heated pool in Hong Kong is certainly feasible. Such facilities are less expensive to build and maintain than indoor pools, would work well in this climate, and would solve the problem of people wanting to swim in the winter. Are the officials involved in this project swimmers? Have any of them experienced swimming in the winter in an outdoor heated pool? Before spending so much money, it might be worth taking a look at some places that have a more sound approach to urban planning. This project makes absolutely no sense. Stephanie Han, Lantau How can the drink-driving message be promoted? I think adverts discouraging people from drinking and driving would be effective. The government could use the adverts, not just to inform people of the penalties, but to make them aware of the possible consequences of their actions. I also think that imposing tough penalties can make more people realise that they should not drink and drive and this would lead to a reduction in the number of accidents on our roads. Far from reducing the amount of anti-drink drive publicity, I think it should be increased. Yiu Wun-hang, Sha Tin Even though drink-driving can lead to accidents that can cause fatalities, some drivers are still not listening to the message that the government is trying to get across about the consequences of drink-driving. I think first of all we should focus on teenagers. Adults who have been driving for a number of years may feel less inclined to listen to the message and will continue to drive as they see fit. There should be more talks in schools so that we get the correct message across to students. Hopefully when they grow up they will be responsible drivers and the number of accidents involving drink-drivers will go down. The government should have more adverts and posters promoting the dangers of drink-driving and the punishment for such offences could be increased to act as a deterrent. Jonathan Mak Ka-long, Sha Tin The more breath tests that are conducted by police, the more drivers will think twice about drinking and driving, because they will be afraid of being caught. If there are more court cases and, therefore, more newspaper reports, people will become increasingly aware of the fact they should not drink and drive. Having more breath tests is the best way to drive home the no drink-driving message. Poon Chi-shing, Sha Tin On other matters... Forget swine flu. Residents of Wang Fung Terrace, Tai Hang Road, are in grave danger of being killed by a truly lethal organism - the typically aggressive, self-absorbed, Hong Kong motorist. Let me explain. To cross Tai Hang Road from Wang Fung Terrace via the natural crossing point from the steep steps abutting this very busy road, is to literally take one's life in one's hands. It can typically take a full 10 minutes to safely reach the school bus drop-off point opposite. How long will it be before a child, senior citizen or other pedestrian is injured or killed attempting to negotiate this hazardous 'uncontrolled' crossing point? To rectify matters, residents have formed the Wang Fung Terrace Concern Group, mainly because it appears that the Transport Department thinks it is sufficient to install a few signposts and to leave it at that, which is not acceptable. The concern group recently learned that the department, although acutely aware of the dangers of this particular crossing point, refuses to install a zebra crossing, saying it would be on a bend and therefore 'unsighted to motorists'. Officials should look a few hundred yards down Tai Hang Road (towards Lai Tak Tsuen) and see two ill-placed zebra crossings - one of which is actually in the middle of a dangerous bend - near a school no less, and which, in my experience, has been the scene of so many near misses and pedestrian escapes from motorists that it is only a matter of time before injury or death ensues. Therefore, the concern group believes that a high-visibility, traffic light-controlled zebra crossing should be installed without delay, from the steps abutting Tai Hang Road across to the other side - at the natural pedestrian crossing point. This is a logical and cost-effective remedy to a long-standing problem that should have been sorted out long ago. We trust the department will respond favourably and at the earliest opportunity. Kevin Saunders, Wang Fung Terrace Concern Group I think imposing tough penalties can make people realise that they should not drink and drive Yiu Wun-hang, Sha Tin
