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Press Release
Comprehensive plan to tackle road traffic noise
The Environmental Protection Department has proposed a comprehensive action plan to tackle road traffic noise problems in Hong Kong.
A spokesman for the EPD said today (August 1) that despite the Government's efforts, road traffic noise still remained a significant environmental problem affecting a large number of people in the territory.
"Because of the continuous growth in the economy, population and transport demand, as well as the scarcity of land, about 1.1 million people are still exposed to high levels of road traffic noise exceeding 70 decibels. Excessive road traffic noise detracts from the quality of life," he said.
With a balanced, integrated, proactive and transparent strategy in mind, the department has formulated a draft comprehensive plan to tackle road traffic noise in Hong Kong and is now proposing the following enhanced measures in addition to the existing measures that are being implemented:
* extending the trial of low noise road surfacing materials;
* exploring new design of low noise road surfacing materials for wider application;
* exploring optimum barrier design for wider application;
* studying the feasibility of controlling noise emission from in-use vehicles;
* reviewing the Professional Practice Note on Road Traffic Noise;
* promoting the disclosure of noise information in flats sales brochures;
* improving joints at flyovers;
* exploring night-time traffic noise standard; and
* promoting public engagement and partnership.
The Advisory Council on the Environment and the Legislative Council's Environmental Affairs Panel were consulted in May and July this year respectively on the draft comprehensive plan and supported the proposed enhanced measures.
Stakeholders including the concerned District Councils, transport trades, public transport operators, professionals, academia, developers, green groups and the general public would be consulted on the proposed actions and measures at various stages of development, the spokesman said.
"Their views and comments will be taken into account for further development of the action plans," he added.
To address traffic noise from the existing roads, the Government has identified 36 existing road sections to carry out noise barrier retrofitting works bringing relief to about 80,000 people. The noise barrier retrofitting works for two sections on Fanling highways had been completed and about 9000 people have benefited. Another noise barrier project for a section on Cheung Pei Shan Road is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2008, bringing relief to about 5,000 people.
A total of 72 local low speed road sections were identified for resurfacing with low noise surfacing materials. As at June 2006, 28 road sections had been resurfaced with low noise surfacing materials bringing relief to about 28,000 people.
From 1989 to 1999, the Government also resurfaced 11 kilometres of suitable high speed highways sections with low noise materials and 50,000 people benefited from that programme. Over the past 10 to 15 years, preventive measures had been implemented through planning of new towns, new residential developments and new roads, and had benefited about 690,000 people. Legislation had been tightened in 2002 requiring individual vehicle to comply with latest international noise standards before registration in Hong Kong can be made.
Details of the comprehensive plan can be downloaded from the department's web site (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/noise/prob_solutions/files/dcp-e.pdf). Members of the public are welcome to offer their views through email to trafficnoise@epd.gov.hk or fax to 2802 4511, or attend a public forum to be held on September 9, 2006 at Civil Service Training and Development Institute, North Point Government Offices. Advance booking can be made at 2835 1281 or 2835 1525.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 2006
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