Permit funds blocked

LEGISLATORS yesterday rejected funding for a computerised system intended to speed up applications for road works.

They said the $53 million system would not benefit taxpayers by shortening the time needed for road-digging. It would only benefit public utility companies.

The Government had failed to show how installation of the system would reduce traffic congestion and benefit road users, they said.

Highways Department director Kwong Hon-sang said about 58,000 permits for road works were issued each year.

But legislators said the faster system would not reduce the number of roads being dug up.

And they criticised the Highways Department for failing to charge public utility companies to recover the costs of road works for installing electricity, telephone or gas lines.