XN000022-1996-12-11 — Page 37

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Answer:

Mr President,

Slope cutting works was required for forming the Route 3 - Country Park Section. It was found that some of the slopes had to be cut flatter than the designed gradient to achieve stability. The resulting additional spoil requires additional effort and time for removal from the site. As a contingency measure to ensure that all the surplus spoil can be removed in good time, the contractor proposed to dispose of the spoil by filling up a valley adjacent to the site if later found necessary.

(a)

The Environmental Assessment Sub-Group of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) was not supportive of utilising a natural wooded valley adjacent to the Route 3 project to accommodate the additional spoil. They required the contractor to explore in greater detail all other options before they were prepared to give the proposal any further consideration.

(b) The Contractor for this Build, Operate and Transfer project employed by

the Franchisee is studying the following alternative solutions:

(i)

(ii)

Improving the efficiency and performance of the conveyor system.

This would involve 24 hour operation of the conveyor, and a reduction in the number of hours dedicated to preventive maintenance. It also entails carrying out mitigation measures to protect local residents from noise. Increased conveyor output has already recently been observed but the contractor is concerned that reduced preventive maintenance could result in more frequent conveyor breakdowns in the future and eventually a loss in productivity.

Removing the excess spoil by road

This will entail adding more traffic to Castle Peak Road during off peak hours. A traffic impact assessment is being conducted by the contractor and will be discussed and agreed with relevant Government Departments before

any such scheme implemented.

is