Ripping up railings on steep Peel Street will create safety hazard, warn Hong Kong bar owners
Lands Department says the structures are illegal and that it is taking action after receiving complaints
A decision to tear down railings on steep slopes in SoHo’s Peel Street has angered bar owners, who say elderly people and customers will be at risk of falling.
The move by the Lands Department comes a month after it ordered the removal of ramps allowing easier access into bars and restaurants in the popular Central district that it said were illegal structures, even though they had been there for years.
“We’re outraged,” said Sam Weil, who runs popular music lounge Peel Fresco and was speaking on behalf of 10 food and beverage outlets.
It’s very dangerous now – we’ve had several customers fall off the steps
He said the ramps had helped pedestrians up pavements that were around 65cm and that people used the railings while negotiating the steep street.
“It’s very dangerous now – we’ve had several customers fall off the steps. There have been a number of accidents,” Weil said, complaining that the government’s push to clear streets of such structures was not being applied even-handedly across Hong Kong.
“We don’t know why they’re targeting our street,” he added, expressing concern for elderly residents who live on the street. “Some of the little old ladies who live here just can’t get up.”
The Lands Department confirmed in a statement to the South China Morning Post that it had opted to remove the structures after receiving a number of complaints.