(b)
(c)
40-
Regarding private slopes, fourteen schools were known in June 1996 to be affected by substandard private slopes and served with Danerous Hillside (DH) Orders. Works at two of them have been completed. Another six schools are now known to be affected by substandard private slopes and have also been served with DH Orders, making a total of eighteen cases.
The completion dates for the contracts for substandard public slopes are shown in the attached Table 1. Works has commenced on six of the nine cases, mostly since end 1996, and two of them are expected to be completed in this month. Works on the remaining three will commence in the coming months.
The detailed works programmes and the expected completion dates for the substandard private slopes identified are at Table 2. In all cases, DH Orders have been served and are at various stages of compliance by private owners. In the interim, private owners and their consultants are required to step up slope maintenance and perform any necessary temporary protection works to reduce potential hazard.
Slope upgrading works involve stabilisation and improvement works which are more complicated than normal maintenance works. The study, ground investigation, design and construction of these upgrading works take time and it is not possible to complete them all before this rainy season. As an illustration, typical upgrading works for a slope would require 9 to 18 months works on site after completing the necessary study, investigation and design. For private slopes, more time is required for sorting out the land status, the subsequent appointment of Authorised Persons and tendering for the upgrading works.
Government has significantly increased its rate of output of upgrading works in recent years. High priority has been given to tackling slopes affecting schools as announced in our 1996 Policy Commitments. We are now proceeding in full force to implement this commitment.
Government will monitor the progress of upgrading works to private slopes as far as compliance with the Dangerous Hillside Orders is concerned. In view of the high priority policy, an Inter-Department Meeting comprising representatives from Education Department, Civil Engineering Department, Buildings Department, Housing Department and Architectural Services Department is in place to monitor and advise on the progress of work involved.