WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 1992
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MEASURES TO IMPROVE VENTILATION IN AIRPORT'S ARRIVAL KERBSIDE
AND
KAI
A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD RECENTLY BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO TRY ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF FOUL AIR IN THE ARRIVAL KERBSIDE AREA AT TAK AIRPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, MRS CHAN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE CIRCULATION OF AIR IN THE ENCLOSED SECTION OF THE ARRIVALS KERBSIDE AREA, AND WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE TENDENCY FOR VEHICLES - IN PARTICULAR COACHES
TO KEEP THEIR ENGINES AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS RUNNING WHILE WAITING TO PICK UP ARRIVING PASSENGERS.
"IN ORDER TO IMPROVE VENTILATION A NEW FRESH AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM WAS COMMISSIONED IN AUGUST. THIS DRAWS AIR DOWN FROM THE ROOF OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL TO VENTILATE THE ARRIVALS KERBSIDE AREA.
TO
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED CARRY OUT TESTS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE AIR QUALITY IN THE VICINITY NOW MEETS ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID TO REDUCE THE NUISANCE CAUSED BY EXHAUST EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES A NEW CONDITION WAS INCLUDED IN THE PERMIT FOR COACHES HAVING ACCESS TO THE ARRIVALS FORECOURT REQURING THEM TO SWITCH OFF THEIR ENGINES WHILE PARKED AT THE KERBSIDE.
"AS A FURTHER MEASURE, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS CONSULTING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL ON THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A SYSTEM WHEREBY COACHES WOULD WAIT IN A HOLDING AREA, AWAY FROM THE ARRIVALS FORECOURT, UNTIL CALLED
THE KERBSIDE TO PICK UP WAITING PASSENGERS.
TO
THAT
"A FURTHER BENEFIT OF THIS APPROACH IS
PASSENGERS COULD REMAIN IN THE AIR-CONDITIONED BUFFER HALL UNTIL THEIR TRANSPORT ARRIVES, SHE ADDED.
"
MRS CHAN SAID THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND EXPLORE ALL POSSIBILITIES FURTHER IMPROVEMENT.
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