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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. GRACE HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
Mr. Chairman, area under flyovers are not swept daily, as are streets, because generally they are less susceptible to litter, particularly if fenced. The frequency of sweeping varies from once every two days to once a week, based on need as assessed through experience by the district cleansing staff. In the case of areas enclosed by railings, as for example the area under the flyover at Gascoigne Road referred to in the question, staff have to climb over the railings which are about 3½ feet high to do the cleansing, just as they do with the central dividers of the road. This does not affect efficiency, and so far staff have been able to do the cleansing effectively.
Any person who litters these areas is liable to prosecution. However, the persons who occupy these areas are very often mentally disturbed. In these cases, prosecution is no answer to the problem. Action usually taken is to remove any dirt or mess, and to seek the assistance of the Police and the Social Welfare Department to remove the persons. This has been done in the case of the person recently noticed to be occupying the area under the Gascoigne Road flyover.
MR. LOBO (in English):- Mr. Chairman, there are a few points I would like to raise. Firstly, staff having to cross the barrier in the middle of the road is certainly not a good example in view of the traffic safety which all the children are being asked to comply with and, therefore, I would like to ask if the Committee is satisfied that, in fact, these areas should be fenced and not be opened to allow staff to clean daily. Also not to put them in danger of having to climb and be knocked down by cars because these areas are where the traffic is generally very heavy.
MRS. HO (in English):- Mr. Chairman, I agree with MR. LOBO that it is absolutely deplorable that our cleansing staff have to climb and also set a bad example to children who are encouraged to cross the road safely. This will be looked into by the Committee and in cases where these areas are fenced, and there is no access, we will refer them to the Highways Office, Public Works Department.
MR. LOBO (in English):- Mr. Chairman, arising from the second part of the question that offenders will be prosecuted, I have also noted that these fenced areas have become favourite spots for dog owners to let their dogs run freely up and down. Perhaps the Committee will also take notice of this.
MRS. HO (in English):- Yes, this will be looked into.
(4) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):-
I have received complaints regarding the difficulties of booking public Tennis Courts at peak periods, and suggestions that courts are again being monopolized at such times by professional coaches.
May the Council be advised:
(a) to what extent Tennis Courts are over-subscribed at popular times;
(b) what improvements have been derived from present systems of bookings, and if any changes in such systems are proposed;
(c) what plans exist for the provision of additional tennis facilities for the public; and
(d) if it is possible to devise a system whereby Tennis Coaches duly accredited by the Council can be allotted the use of certain Courts at specified and well-publicized times?
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
Mr. Chairman, this question about public tennis courts is in four parts, and my reply must perforce be of some length.
The popular times for playing tennis are the early morning and the late afternoon and evening on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays. In general all 32 Council tennis courts are in use at these times, and are over-subscribed to the extent that at peak times on weekdays (when no advance booking is permitted) players may have to wait for up to one hour to get a court, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays when advance bookings are allowed, those wanting to play may not be able to get a court at all unless they have booked early.
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