XN000022-1978-05-10 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1978

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MEASURES TO COMBAT DUST POLLUTION IN TUEN MUN

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THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TODAY CUTLINED THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLEVIATE DUST POLLUTION CAUSED BY PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO STU-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR. JONES SAID THE FIRST STEP WAS THE REMOVAL OF THE SOIL STOCKPILE NEAR THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN TUEN MUN AND THAT ANY FURTHER STOCKPILING WOULD BE AWAY FROM THE AREA.

+SECONDŁY, CONTRACTORS ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STATION LABOURERS AT THE HAUL ROUTE ENTRANCE TO REMOVE SOIL AND OTHER MATERIAL DROPPED ON THE ROAD BY THE IR LORRIES AND TO SPRAY THE ROAD WITH WATER,+ MR. JONES SAID.

+THE USD IS ALSO PROVIDING A STREET WASHING VEHICLE ON PUI TO ROAD ON FINE DAYS, HE ADDED.

+THIRDLY, LORRY DRIVERS FOUND DEPOSITING EARTH ON PUBLIC ROADS ARE BEING PROSECUTED AND A TOTAL OF 25 SUCH SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

+FOURTHLY, A SECTION OF THE HAUL ROUTE NEAR PUI TO ROAD HAS BEEN PAVED WITH BITUMEN TO KEEP DOWN MUD AND DUST,+ MR. JONES SAID.

IN ADDITION, MR. JONES POINTED OUT THAT THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IS KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO CUT DOWN THE NUISANCE.

HOWEVER MR. JONES SAID, THE PROBLEM OF DUST ASSOCIATED WITH MASSIVE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT WAS AN ENDEMIC ONE AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE IT COMPLETELY.

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