XN000022-1986-01-08 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1986

$4 MILLION SPENT ON STREET LIGHTS IN SQUATTER AREAS

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ABOUT $4 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON INSTALLING STREET LAMPS IN SQUATTER AREAS SINCE THE SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMME BEGAN IN 1983, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, HE SAID 590 STREET LIGHTS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN 21 SQUATTER AREAS.

UP TO THE END OF 1985, ELECTRICITY CHARGES HAVE AMOUNTED TO $142 000, OR $240 PER STREET LIGHT A YEAR, HE SAID.

MR BARMA SAID THE PROVISION OF STREET LIGHTING WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR TYPES OF PROJECTS CARRIED OUT UNDER THE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE BASIC SERVICES IN SQUATTER AREAS.

PARKING METER TIMES FOR LORRIES TO BE ALTERED

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OPERATIONAL HOURS OF PARKING METERS FOR GOODS VEHICLES IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL AREAS WILL BE ALTERED IN ABOUT A MONTH'S TIME TO TACKLE THE PARKING PROBLEM FACED BY LORRY DRIVERS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON IAN MACPHERSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE METER PARKING TIMES WOULD BE ADJUSTED TO OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT.

MR MACPHERSON SAID THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY IDENTIFIED AREAS WHERE SUCH PARKING PROBLEMS EXISTED.

+THESE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED AND ENDORSED BY THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE CONVERSION PROGRAMME IN THE AREAS CONCERNED WILL START IN ABOUT ONE MONTH'S TIME,+ HE SAID.