XN000022-1995-07-20 — Page 7

6

Support for slope safety initiatives welcomed

The Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, commenting on the report issued yesterday by the Select Committee on the Kwun Lung Lau Landslip, today (Thursday) welcomed the committee's support for the slope safety initiatives which have been introduced by the Government in recent years. These initiatives have brought about a substantial decrease in fatalities arising from slope-related incidents.

He said the recommendations concerning slope safety followed closely the Government's own proposals to step up landslip prevention, as published in the "Report on the Slope Safety Review" in February.

"In particular, we have reviewed the risk categorisation system used by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO)," said Mr Blake, "and we have already issued explanatory notes to the public which clearly define the meaning of the terms used."

With regard to the report's criticism on the GEO for relying on old drawing to verify information on the Kwun Lung Lau retaining wall, Mr Blake pointed out that this wall had stood for almost 100 years.

"The method used in the Stage I Study to assess the wall and slope had been considered by Professor Morgenstern, who found assessment and the associated study acceptable. The Select Committee does not disagree with Professor Morgenstern's view," he said.

Mr Blake added that when the estate was built, the retaining wall was not part of the building works to be approved by the Building Authority.

"We are committed to the acceleration of the landslip preventive measures programmes and to other measures aimed at improving slope safety," he said.

"We will study further the Select Committee's detailed recommendations and will continue to report to the Legislative Council at least once every six months on progress with implementing improvements.

"We shall also step up our efforts to promote public awareness of slope safety and maintenance responsibilities," said Mr Blake.

The acting Secretary for Security, Mr Ken Woodhouse, also welcomed the report and said the Security Branch would be studying its conclusions and recommendations very carefully.