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SCMP Reporter

Trying to keep noise disruption to a minimum
I refer to Lee Oi-yan's letter ('Site works make life living hell', January 4).  
The work at Pok Fu Lam playground is for the construction of a deep drainage intake, which is part of the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel project.
 Upon  completion, the intakes of the  tunnel will intercept storm water run-off from uphill and divert it into the new drainage tunnel. This  will reduce the volume of storm water flow reaching the lower catchment and hence alleviate the flood risk threat. The intake at  the playground, in particular, serves to divert the flow away from Pok Fu Lam Road and the downstream catchment. 
Intake locations for the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel project were determined taking into consideration various factors including land availability, traffic impact, natural storm water flow path, existing drain locations, and impact on the natural terrain and the neighbouring environment.
We distributed notification letters and newsletters to incorporated owners and management offices of nearby residential buildings to inform them of our work proposal prior to the construction of the intake at  the playground.
The  work being undertaken at present at the playground involves piling works for constructing the drainage intake. 
While  construction  of the intake at that site will take about two years to complete, the piling works are scheduled to be completed by  next month or March.  
We share the concern of Ms Lee and are committed to minimising the noise nuisance which is caused by the work.  
It is for this reason that the contractor is required, under the terms of the contract, to include effective noise mitigating measures and to carry out regular noise monitoring to ensure compliance with the relevant statutory requirements on noise control. 
The contractor has adopted the drilling and vibration method for placing piles, which is less noisy than the conventional percussion method. 
Noise monitoring results  have shown that the noise levels  have been within the statutory limits since commencement of the piling works. 
With a view to further mitigating construction noise, and minimising the nuisance caused to nearby residents, we have asked the contractor to erect additional three-metre-high movable barriers in front of the piling plants and to install additional soundproof blankets around the site.
We believe that the  mitigation measures I have described will be effective in further abating the noise nuisance to nearby residents. 
We welcome  views from the public about our work arrangements. We will continue closely monitoring  the progress of the works and will explore refinement of our work arrangements to better meet the needs of the public.
Anthony K. L. Tsang, technical secretary, Drainage Services Department
Comic not the right approach
What an irony. The government has altered the secondary schooling curriculum to include liberal studies, with the aim of raising students' awareness of social issues through newspapers and other written publications. But now that it wants  younger people to show an interest in the budget consultation, it favours the use of comic books.
This kind of material  is not as valuable in education terms, especially when it comes to teaching students to think critically,  because images, unlike words, take away their motivation to make their own interpretations on respective matters.  
The underlying problem with using a comic book is that it undermines the actual importance of the  budget in teenagers' minds. They enjoy reading comics because it is not as difficult as reading text. 
They would not read this because they are interested in the financial secretary's budget.  It would be  better for the government to perhaps interact with the younger generation by means of using Facebook and Twitter. 
This would enable officials to receive and send messages.  
It would also show the government is being sincere in its desire to reach out to teenagers and get their suggestions. It would also be more  environmentally friendly.
Jennifer Chan Qian-ying, Chung Hum Kok
Having to queue in narrow alley
I live in Ap Lei Chau and quite often travel to Causeway Bay. 
For more than three years, it has been quite unpleasant, especially during peak hours, to queue for the  No592 bus outside what used to be the Mitsukoshi department store, because the Hysan Property Development construction site has blocked  much of the pavement. 
This means that all the stops, for around 10 buses bound for the south side of Hong Kong Island, are crammed together into a narrow alley.  It is crowded, hot in the summer and confusing at those times when the queue is long. The construction site has been there  for more than three years and there is  still no sign of a new building. 
Surely there is something the  government, the bus companies and the property developer could do to ease the discomfort of people having to queue in this alley.  
Kalvin Chao, Ap Lei Chau
Rail link will be good for HK
I strongly support the Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Guangzhou express rail link. I think it will be good for our city.  
It can lead to a closer relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland.  
It will also provide a boost to our tourist industry and help the SAR financially. 
In fact, there are so many advantages, I cannot understand why some people have opposed the scheme.  
Any opposition should have been  raised when the scheme was first put forward - not at this stage.  If opponents had won and the project had not been approved, Hong Kong would have suffered.   
Chang Siu-lam, Tsuen Wan
Roof not public open space
I refer to the letter by  Miranda Tsang ('Confusion over public access', January 14) about the rooftop of The Pawn, at  60A-66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai.  
The roof  is not a public open space, pursuant to the land lease of the buildings at Inland Lot No IL 8997, and the approved master layout plan of the whole development. Neither is it designated for, and included in, the 'provision of public facilities in private developments', announced  on the website of the Planning and Lands Branch of the Development Bureau  (http://www.devb-plb.gov.hk).
Notwithstanding  this, the roof is open to the public under the current arrangement when there is no private function, as an act of goodwill by the Urban Renewal Authority, so that members of the public  can enjoy and appreciate the existing form of the historical building. 
The roof is currently managed by the restaurant operator, who is also the building's tenant.  The restaurant operator is willing to keep the roof free for viewing by the public during certain opening hours, while maintaining a good balance between security, operations, safety and public access. 
A public notice will be displayed at the glass door of the ground-floor lift lobby leading to the roof  when it is closed because of a  private function.
Angela Tang, general manager, external relations, Urban Renewal Authority
Unfair system at crematorium
The existing chip allocation system for booking  crematorium services creates an unfair monopoly for undertakers. 
Under the current system, one person is allowed to apply for and get up to five chips. Those people who want to apply on their own are, in effect, disenfranchised from doing so. 
Burial agents sleep overnight outside the cremation booking office to get their five chip allocation places. People who wish to apply on their own will have to take what is left or pay these agents, so they do not waste time. Only people willing to pay higher charges will get a cremation booking.
The existing 15-day application period, on a first-come first-served basis, must inevitably lead to an accumulation of deceased persons in hospital mortuaries. If you do not succeed on the first application, you must try again for the next 15-day period. 
Surely, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department can do something and ensure that there are timely cremations for the  deceased in Hong Kong. 
P. Lo, Ap Lei Chau
Allow dogs to share park
Many dog owners will miss the Wan Chai waterfront promenade. 
It would be hard to imagine a better location for convenience, safety and enjoyment, both for dogs and humans. So it is encouraging to hear that the council is looking at new sites. 
As well as dedicated parks, perhaps sharing space (enclosures) or time sharing can be considered? 
Most people use public spaces in the morning for tai chi, jogging or just a morning stroll. That leaves open the possibility to allow access to dog owners in the afternoon, say from 3pm to 6pm. 
Dog owners are, in the main, responsible about clearing up mess. Education and enforcement (signs and fines) should allay concerns.
There is already a great candidate for sharing. Green Lane park is very large and is not busy, and there is sufficient space for people and dogs.  
Sharing, education and enforcement would be the enlightened, forward-looking approach to this issue, rather than anachronistic bans on access.
Paul Gardiner, Happy Valley



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