XN000022-1976-09-08 — Page 3

FO

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1976

P.W.D. TO REPAIR DAMAGE AT MERRY TERRACE

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE IN MERRY TERRACE AT CASTLE ROAD CAUSED BY THE RECENT RAINSTORMS.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MERRY TERRACE OWNERS AND TENANTS ASSOCIATION LIMITED HAD ADVISED THAT THE OWNERS HAVE NOT YET REACHED ANY AGREEMENT IN THE MATTER OF CARRYING OUT WORKS.

IN VIEW OF THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION, THE P.W.D. BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IS TO EMPLOY THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY WORKS AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY AND ON COMPLETION WILL CHARGE THE COSTS TO THE CO-OWNERS OF MERRY TERRACE.

NOTICES OF THE DEPARTMENT'S INTENTION HAVE BEEN POSTED IN THE AREA, AND INDIVIDUAL COPIES SENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

MR. A.B. LAWRENCE, CHIEF BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DIVISION, SAID TODAY THAT AN URGENT SURVEY OF THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY UNDER WAY AND PRELIMINARY PROTECTIVE MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THE SLOPE.

WORK ON A NEW RETAINING WALL, TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT FAILED DURING THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL STORM ELLEN, WOULD BEGIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FURTHER REMEDIAL WORKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE ONCE THE NEW WALL WAS COMPLETED.

MR. LAWRENCE SAID THAT THE OLD RETAINING WALL ADJACENT TO CASTLE ROAD FAILED DURING THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL STORM ELLEN, AND A SECTION OF THE ROAD COLLAPSED, CAUSING DEBRIS TO SLIDE DOWN THE CARPARK OF MERRY TERRACE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE OLD WALL REVEALED THAT IT WAS OF VERY POOR QUALITY.

+WORKS NOW NEED TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF THE LANDSLIDE TO AVOID ANY FURTHER SLIDE AFFECTING THE BUILDING, OR OTHER NEARBY BUILDINGS AND TO REPLACE THE RETAINING WALL,+ SAID MR. LAWRENCE.

+AS WE CONSIDER THE CASE TO BE ONE OF EMERGENCY, WE NOW INTEND TO ARRANGE TO CARRY OUT SUCH WORKS AS ARE NECESSARY TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF A LANDSLIDE AND TO REPLACE THE FAILED AND DEFECTIVE RETAINING WALLS OF A STRUCTURE.

+THE COST OF SUCH WORKS, AND ANY SUPERVISORY CHARGES CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE, ARE RECOVERABLE FROM THE BUILDING OWNERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE SECTIONS 26(4) AND 33,+ HE SAID.

13