XN000022-1987-08-02 — Page 4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1987

HONG KONG JOINS OZONOSPHERE PROTECTION CONVENTION

HONG KONG HAS BECOME A MEMBER OF THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER A WIDE BELT OF TRIATOMIC OXYGEN GASES WHICH ABSORB HARMFUL ULTRAVIOLET RAYS FROM THE SUN SOME 25 KILOMETRES ABOVE EARTH'S SURFACE.

THE CONVENTION PROVIDES FOR INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN RESEARCH, MONITORING AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE TO HELP ESTABLISH THE PRECISE IMPACT OF THE DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER. IT ALSO PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE REGULATORY MEASURES.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SURFACE OF THE BARTH IS PROTECTED FROM THE HARMFUL ULTRAVIOLET RAYS OF THE SUN BY THE TOP LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE (THE OZONOSPHERE).

HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED

THAT CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS

SUCH AS THOSE USED IN AEROSOL SPRAY PRODUCTS

AND EXHAUST GASES FROM SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT FLYING ABOVE THE EARTH COULD DIMINISH THE THICKNESS OF THE OZONE LAYER, THUS EXPOSING PEOPLE TO MORE INTENSE ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AT GROUND LEVEL AS WELL AS CREATING EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE.

ADVERSE

HONG KONG WAS INCLUDED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM'S

FORMAL

RATIFICATION TO THE CONVENTION ON MAY 15, 1987.

NEW CONDITIONS FOR TRANSPORTING LONG AND WIDE LOADS

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH NEW RULES IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF LONG LOADS AND WIDE LOADS FROM MARCH 1 NEXT YEAR.

"THE NEW CONDITIONS TO BE IMPOSED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR ISSUING A LONG LOAD OR WIDE LOAD PERMIT ARE AIMED AT REDUCING THE HAZARD POSED BY THESE LOADS TO OTHER ROAD USERS DURING TRANSPORTATION. THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IS NOW GIVEN SEVEN MONTHS ΤΟ ADAPT THEMSELVES TO THE CHANGES A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

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THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS

STIPULATE THAT

A LONG LOAD PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF ANY LOAD WHICH PROTRUDES MORE THAN 1.5 METRES BEYOND THE FOREMOST PART OR MORE THAN 1.4 METRES BEHIND THE REARMOST PART OF THE CONVEYANCE VEHICLE.

IN ADDITION, A WIDE LOAD PERNIT IS REQUIRED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF ANY LOAD WHICH EXCEEDS 2.5 METRES IN WIDTH.

/UNDER THE