XN000022-1973-10-13 — Page 2

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Saturday, October 13, 1973

CLOSURE OF WATERWORKS ACCESS ROADS

TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND POLLUTION

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A number of Waterworks and forestry access roads in the New

Territories will be closed to the public as from Monday (October 15) in

an effort to prevent accidents and pollution.

They are the loop road over Tai Lam Chung dan, the spur road

from Hoi Pui Reservoir, the access road to Wong Nai Tun dan and catch-

water, and part of the road which links Tai Lam Chung and Shek Kong.

Disclosing this today, a spokesman for the Public Works Depart-

ment said that these roads were in no sense public roads, Under the

Waterworks Ordinance, the road alongside the catchwater is part of "the

Waterworks".

Turning to the road between Tai Lam Chung and Shek Kong, he

said: "The road was not designed for a large volume of heavy traffic,

and the wear and the tear is considerable.

"Apart from the road surface itself, extensive damage to the

catchwater linings has occurred from time to time."

In the event of an accident, he said, there was a risk that a

oar might fall into the catchwater, a risk increased because the road,

being designed to allow quick working access to the catchment for

Waterworks staff, is not protected by a parapet.

"Should this happen just prior to or during heavy rain, the

catchwater way overflow with the possibility of aerious damage to pro-

perty, and of danger to those living below," the spokesman stressed.

/At the