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17.
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On every Friday morning, during its opening hours between 9 am and noon, the market attracts about 150-200 licensed hawkers to set up their stalls for trading and over 2,000 visitors, many of them tourists, turn up in search of a bargain.
However, because of the return of RAF families to the UK and the closure of Sek Kong Station in December, it is now no longer possible for the RAF to continue the administration of the market in its present location.
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Shing Mun River study commissioned
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) commissioned a consultancy study on environmental improvement of Shing Mun River main channel and associated nullahs.
"The main objective of the study is to determine the most cost-effective and environmentally acceptable solutions to improve the unpleasant conditions caused by the sediment deposited on the river bed," acting Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr John Boxall, said.
It is estimated that over 400,000 cubic metres of contaminated sediment have been deposited along the river, which has been polluted over the years by various types of pollutants, including livestock waste, industrial and domestic wastewater discharges.
"Although the EPD has made steady progress in curtailing the various pollution sources, the organic content of the sediment still adversely affects the water quality and the high metal levels are a continuing cause for concern," Mr Boxall said.
"The sediment also poses an odour problem to nearby residents."
The consultancy study, scheduled for completion in April 1997, would look at all these problems with a view to finding solutions and restoring the Shing Mun River to a clean and healthy state, Mr Boxall said.
At a cost of $4.6 million, the study has been awarded to Aspinwall Clouston Limited.
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