Letters | Landslide risk and public safety concerns behind repair work on Hong Kong slope
- The construction work, which commenced in June 2018, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020
- Members of the public interested in the project are welcome to contact the government
I refer to Mr Joseph Ranger’s letter “Public needs an explanation on repairs at slope” (April 17).
The Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department has launched a Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme to dovetail with the Landslip Preventive Measures Programme, which was completed in 2010. This prevention and mitigation programme is a key part of the government’s strategy to contain landslide risks in Hong Kong to as low a level as reasonably practicable.
The Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme is being implemented on a rolling basis. The annual objectives of the programme is to upgrade 150 government man-made slopes, conduct safety-screening studies on 100 private man-made slopes, and implement studies and necessary risk mitigation works for 30 natural hillside catchments.
Substandard slopes and vulnerable natural hillsides are identified through a risk-based priority ranking system for systematic upgrading under the programme.
Based on historical landslide records, the concerned hillside is vulnerable to landslides, which may affect Barker Road and Magazine Gap Road. It is therefore necessary to carry out landslide mitigation work, comprising installation of soil reinforcement, slope surface protection and debris-resisting barriers, to ensure public safety.