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Quieter
Environment
We
aim to maintain an acceptable acoustic environment for the community
through planning and other controls. These include advising on technical
solutions for potential noise problems, as identified during the
land-use planning and potential housing development site review
process; managing noise abatement programmes to bring relief to
existing residential flats and schools adversely affected by traffic
noise; and enforcing the Noise Control Ordinance.
Traffic Noise
We
have been making progress in planning against traffic noise from
new roads to avoid adverse noise impacts on sensitive receivers
(see below). Notwithstanding this, in 2000 we participated in the
formulation of a new policy to reduce noise from existing roads.
Thirty roads were deemed suitable for noise barriers or enclosures
and 72 roads were deemed suitable for low-noise surfacing. Another
550 roads still have unacceptable noise levels. The Legislative
Council has been briefed on the new policy and in 2001, preparations
got underway on the design tendering works for retrofitting noise
barriers and low-noise surfaces where applicable. Both programmes
will start in 2002. Subject to funding allocation, the low noise
resurfacing is expected to be completed in 3 years while the retrofitting
barrier work is expected to be completed in 10 years. The noise
barriers are expected to benefit 25 000 residential units and the
low-noise surfacing will benefit 40 000 residential units.
In
the ongoing programme for new roads, many noise barriers and enclosures
and low-noise surfaces have already been fitted. From 1986 to the
end of 2001, about 34 kilometres of noise barriers and enclosures
were erected on new roads, protecting some 24 000 dwellings from
excessive traffic noise. Acoustic insulation and air-conditioners
have been provided to about 6 700 flats exposed to excessive road
noise.
In
2001, we formulated a proposal to further tighten the noise standards
for newly registered motor vehicles and will follow up with the
corresponding legislative amendment in 2002.
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