Page 277 of 485
Page 277 of 485
252
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
not meant to offend the Town Planning Board; rather we are saying that the pavements are too narrow that if one puts something there, it will already cause obstruction. If the Town Planning Board can widen the pavements, even when something is put there, pedestrians will not be inconvenienced to a large extent. I hope that actions can be taken on that front.
MR. NG WING-FAL (in Cantonese):- fact, from the viewpoint of town planning, the problem of street obstruction has not been mentioned in the entire Town Planning Ordinance. In cities of many countries in the world, such as Europe and Japan, their pavements are also very narrow, but there is no problem of street obstruction. I think the crux of the matter is street management. In areas like Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui in my district, there are many cases of shop operators causing street obstruction. Perhaps some Members will later mention about shop operators permanently occupying pavement spaces in their electoral areas. I would like to ask if the Chairman of the Select Committee will further discuss the fixed penalty approach within the Committee and also ask the Department to submit the relevant review report.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, how is the situation in Japan? I did not have any opportunities to go there on a study tour. I hope in future, I will have such opportunity to acquire more information so as to improve the situation in Hong Kong. As to whether street management is the crux of the matter, some of the cases are related to permanent street obstruction; however, the original question is concerned about obstruction to cleansing work of the Department and about prosecution actions against such street obstruction. The other street obstruction problems concern a number of other government departments. As mentioned just now, if shop operators extend their shop premises and occupy pavement space on a permanent basis, then other government departments may have to step up their enforcement actions. I think it is necessary to take inter-departmental actions.
MR. LEUNG KAM-TAO (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask 3 follow-up questions. First, as Mr. Joseph CHAN said, the street obstruction problem seems to involve the responsibilities of many government departments. I would like to ask if the Urban Council will invite the relevant government departments to hold a meeting in order to map out again the areas of responsibility in the street obstruction problem. This is my first question.
Secondly, as Mr. Joseph CHAN mentioned, street obstruction takes many forms and differs in nature. I would like to ask the Council, in dealing with street obstruction, will it accord different priorities to different forms of street obstruction? If the answer is yes, can we have the details?
Page 277 of 485
of 485
Page 277 of 485
Page 277 of 485
252
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
not meant to offend the Town Planning Board; rather we are saying that the pavements are too narrow that if one puts something there, it will already cause obstruction. If the Town Planning Board can widen the pavements, even when something is put there, pedestrians will not be inconvenienced to a large extent. I hope that actions can be taken on that front.
MR. NG WING-FAL (in Cantonese):- fact, from the viewpoint of town planning, the problem of street obstruction has not been mentioned in the entire Town Planning Ordinance. In cities of many countries in the world, such as Europe and Japan, their pavements are also very narrow, but there is no problem of street obstruction. I think the crux of the matter is street management. În arcas like Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui in my district, there are many cases of shop operators causing street obstruction. Perhaps some Members will later mention about shop operators permanently occupying pavement spaces in their electoral areas. I would like to ask if the Chairman of the Select Committee will further discuss the fixed penalty approach within the Committee and also ask the
Department to submit the relevant review report.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, how is the situation in Japan? I did not have any opportunities to go there on a study tour. I hope in future, I will have such opportunity to acquire more information so as to improve the situation in Hong Kong. As to whether street management is the crux of the matter, some of the cases are related to permanent street obstruction; however, the original question is concerned about obstruction to cleansing work of the Department and about prosecution actions against such street obstruction. The other street obstruction problems concern a number of other government departments. As mentioned just now, if shop operators extend their shop premises and occupy pavement space on a permanent basis, then other government departments may have to step up their enforcement actions. I think it is necessary to take inter-departmental actions.
MR. LEUNG KAM-TAO (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask 3 follow-up questions. First, as Mr. Joseph CHAN said, the street obstruction problem seems to involve the responsibilities of many government departments. I would like to ask if the Urban Council will invite the relevant government departments to hold a meeting in order to map out again the areas of responsibility in the street obstruction problem. This is my first question.
Secondly, as Mr. Joseph CHAN mentioned, street obstruction takes many forms and differs in nature. I would like to ask the Council, in dealing with street obstruction, will it accord different priorities to different forms of street obstruction? If the answer is yes, can we have the details?
Page 277 of 485
of 485
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.