XN000022-1994-10-26 — Page 91

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994

NOTWITHSTANDING THESE FIGURES, THE

PROBLEM IS NOT

SERIOUS SINCE MOST OF THE FAULTS WERE VERY MINOR E.G. CAUSED BY FAULTY BULBS AND CABLES.

(B)

FOR

THOSE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHICH ARE CONTROLLED BY THE CENTRALIZED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SYSTEMS, SIGNAL FAILURES ARE IDENTIFIED IMMEDIATELY BY COMPUTERS LOCATED IN THE CONTROL CENTRES. FOR THOSE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHICH ARE NOT LINKED TO THE ATC SYSTEM, FAILURES ARE REPORTED BY THE POLICE OR THE PUBLIC. DURING THE DAY, MOST REPAIRS CAN BE EFFECTED WITHIN 10-30 MINUTES BY GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS/ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

IN ADDITION, ALL TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE INSPECTED ANNUALLY AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WORKS CARRIED OUT. OUR TARGET OF MAINTAINING 99% AVAILABILITY FOR ALL TRAFFIC LIGHTS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN EACH OF THE PAST 3 YEARS.

(C)

WE HAVE A PROGRAMME TO REPLACE THE OLDER EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE SIGNAL CABLES. WE ARE ALSO REPLACING THE WHOLE OF THE KOWLOON ATC SYSTEM, WHICH WAS INSTALLED 17 YEARS AGO. WORK ON THIS WILL BE

COMPLETED

BY FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR, AND WILL RESULT IN IMPROVED RELIABILITY.

MEASURES AGAINST RUBBISH DUMPING

FOLLOWING IS A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING AND A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):

QUESTION: IN VIEW OF THE WORSENING OF THE PROBLEM OF RUBBISH ACCUMULATING ON LAND AND AT SEA IN THE TERRITORY WHICH CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND BLEMISHES THE APPEARANCE OF THE CITY, WILL THE GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL WHETHER CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN ΤΟ INCREASING SUBSTANTIALLY THE PENALTIES IMPOSED ON INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING OF RUBBISH, AS WELL AS STEPPING UP PROSECUTION, SO AS TO WARN THOSE WHO ARE NOT CIVIC-MINDED?

REPLY:

MR PRESIDENT,

/THE ILLEGAL

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