Resurfaced flyover should be less noisy

I refer to the letter headlined 'No action taken' (South China Morning Post, March 14) regarding traffic noise from the Kwai Chung Road flyover at Mei Foo Sun Chuen.

We share your correspondent's concern about traffic noise disturbance from existing roads and flyovers in Hong Kong. The Government has looked into the issue and formulated a policy in 2000 to tackle the problem.

Under this policy, the Government will try to implement measures to retrofit barriers or resurface noisy roads with low-noise material wherever it is technically feasible and where there are likely to be significant benefits. Work on some roads has already started.

Traffic management measures will be explored on a case-by-case basis at roads where an engineering solution is impracticable. In 2001, departments concerned jointly briefed all 18 district councils on the new policy and arranged joint site visits and meetings with council members and local representatives to exchange views about various practicable noise measures.

Regarding Kwai Chung Road flyover at Mei Foo Sun Chuen, it was built many years ago. Structurally, it is not technically feasible to retrofit a noise barrier on top of the existing flyover. There is inadequate space in the vicinity to erect independent structures to support a noise barrier covering the existing flyover. Even if there were sufficient space, the new structures would obstruct emergency access or fire fighting since the flyover is serving as an emergency vehicular access to the estate. It is therefore not technically feasible to provide a noise barrier at that location. Nevertheless, the flyover has already been resurfaced with low-noise material to bring some relief to nearby residents.

The Government will try to redress the traffic noise from existing roads whenever opportunities arise and where it is practicable to do so.

ELVIS W. K. AU

Assistant Director

(Environmental Assessment and Noise)

for Director of Environmental

Protection