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Shop owners urged to keep their advertising signs safe
Shop owners should keep their advertising signs well-maintained and remove those which they are no longer required, the Assistant Director of Buildings (Specialist), Mr Philip Lau, said today (Tuesday).
Mr Lau made the appeal during an operation by the Buildings Department this morning to remove a large abandoned and defective advertising sign at Castle Peak Road in Sham Shui Po.
The sign, measuring about five metres by one metre, was found in a dilapidated condition and posing a potential danger to pedestrians as well as the structure of the building.
Mr Lau said the Buildings Department adopted both a reactive and pro-active approach in handling defective advertising signs.
"We respond swiftly to all complaints regarding dangerous signs. In 1995, We received 230 such complaints and subsequently issued about 200 removal orders.
"Meanwhile, since early 1995, we have carried out a planned survey throughout the territory with a view to identifying and removing dangerous or abandoned signs.
"As at mid-June this year, we have inspected about 14,000 signs and about 650 of them have been removed because of their dangerous condition," Mr Lau said.
Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, the Buildings Department will issue a Dangerous Structure Removal Notice to sign owners requiring them to remove their defective advertising signs within 14 days.
If the signs are not removed after the specified period, the department will arrange government contractor to carry out the work and all the cost will be recovered from the owners.
Mr Lau stressed that any person who intended to put up an advertising sign should plan carefully before carrying out the work.
"Generally speaking, they should obtain permission from the building owners and check that the sign does not contravene the conditions of the land leases.