XN000022-1977-12-07 — Page 25

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977

NIGHT LIGHTING OF ROAD WORKS

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THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT ALTHOUGH PRESENT REGULATIONS GIVE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC, THESE ARE BEING CHANGED IN LINE WITH THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS TO PROVIDE FOR AN IMPROVED STANDARD OF LIGHTING.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. PETER C. WONG ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF NIGHT LIGHTING OF ROAD WORKS, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT +THE ROAD TRAFFIC (LIGHTING AND GUARDING OF ROAD WORKS) REULATIONS PRESCRIBE THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC FROM THE EFFECTS OF ROAD WORKS.

+THERE IS ALSO A SAFE ROAD WORK ING CODE WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS AND LIGHTING AT WORKS SITES.+

BUT MR. MCDONALD SAID UNFORTUNATELY NOT ALL CONTRACTORS COMPLY IN ALL CASES WITH THE LAID DOWN STANDARDS.

HE SAID THAT IN DECEMBER 1976 THE P.W.D.'S HIGHWAYS OFFICE STARTED CARRYING OUT NIGHT PATROLS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS,

HE SAID THAT SINCE APRIL POLICE HAVE ACCOMPANIED THESE PATROLS.

HOWEVER, MR. MCDONALD SAID STAFF RESOURCES ARE NOT UNLIMITED AND CONSEQUENTLY PATROL VISITS TO EACH SITE ARE NOT CARRIED OUT FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO ENSURE COMPLETE AND CONTINUING COMPLIANCE.

MR. MCDONALD SAID IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO RELY. TO SOME EXTENT, ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTRACTORS TO PROPERLY LIGHT THE IR WORKS SITES.

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