XN000022-1994-01-26 — Page 31

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994

IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR QUALITY OF TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES

本掌

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS DEVISING

AIR

QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ROAD TUNNELS AND TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES AND HAS ALSO COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO FORMULATE THE DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN SUCH FACILITIES.

THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY THIS YEAR.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRED LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR EASON SAID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (EIA) WERE CARRIED OUT ON THE SCENEWAY GARDEN DEVELOPMENT AND THE LAM ΤΙΝ TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE IN 1988 AT THE PLANNING STAGE.

THE EIA FOR THE SCENEWAY GARDEN DEVELOPMENT CONFIRMED THE NEED FOR A PODIUM DECK STRADDLING LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO PROTECT RESIDENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT FROM TRAFFIC NOISE AND THIS HAD ACHIEVED THE DESIRED EFFECT.

THE RIA ALSO INDICATED THAT A PROPERLY DESIGNED VENTILATING SYSTEM WOULD BE NEEDED TO MEET AIR QUALITY REQUIREMENTS.

HE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH NOISE LEVELS AT THE INTERCHANGE WERE HIGH, THEY WERE CONSIDERED TOLERABLE AS THEY WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE AT OTHER ROAD-SIDE LOCATIONS NEAR BUSY ROADS.

HOWEVER, THE AIR QUALITY THERE WAS UNACCEPTABLE EVEN THOUGH PASSENGERS WERE EXPOSED TO AIR POLLUTION FOR SHORT PERIODS ONLY MAINLY BECAUSE THE VENTILATION WAS INADEQUATE OR INEFFECTIVE.

THIS

MR EASON SAID IN THE SHORT TERM, IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR QUALITY AT AND SIMILAR FACILITIES WOULD BE SOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AND THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PRIVATE FACILITIES THROUGH BETTER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEMS.

"THE EPD IS CONSULTING THOSE CONCERNED ON THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING EXHAUST FANS.

"TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY EMISSIONS, BUS DRIVERS HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED TO TURN OFF THEIR ENGINES WHILE WAITING AT THESE FACILITIES,' HE SAID.

MR EASON SAID IN THE LONG TERM, THE VENTILATION SYSTEMS, INCLUDING VENTILATING FANS, FRESH AIR IN-TAKES AND EXHAUST AIR DUCTS, MIGHT NEED TO BE UPGRADED TO ACHIEVE ACCEPTABLE AIR QUALITY STANDARDS.

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