5
The
department had asked for this equipment
many times but was rejected by the
because of the cost. This
Finance Branch
is quite
valid reason because the crane is so costly
a
used and it is only probably once or twice a year.
But .in
the light of recent incidents
and bearing in mind the cost to the community, we do feel
there is a case for reconsidering the request and we are
now asking the Finance Branch to reconsider.
now
In the meantime we are relying on the commercial operators
to help. There are nine companies in Hong Kong with 34
cranes, mainly in Kowloon and the New Territories, and
these can be deployed but they take a long time, at least
one and a half hours to two hours, to come to the scene.
This is just not good enough, so we do need a crane
similar
at Lion Rock Tunnel to deal with situations in the future.
MR. EDWARD HO: Sir, in order for the public to be
immediately aware of congested corridors, will the
Government consider
firstly designating one radio
is done
channel for continuous traffic news as in some countries
aslin
in Europe; and secondly, displaying traffic.
congestion information along main traffic routes as is
'practised in Japan?
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT: Sir, I think I have to
this to the Secretary for Administrative Services and
defer