1996 — Page 134

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 134 of 498

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

131

Since the majority of highly-polluted streets are in urban areas, the frequency of washing highly-polluted streets in busy areas should be increased, say, my constituency Mongkok, or Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok West, Kowloon City, To Kwa Wan, Kwun Tong town centre, Wanchai, Central and any other highly-polluted streets in other Members' constituencies. Please remind me if I miss any other similar districts. Some of the districts I have just mentioned are actually cited from the EPD's study report. From the findings, we would recognise the need to increase the frequency of street-washing in highly-polluted areas to at least twice a week. The frequency for streets in most other urban areas should also be increased to at least once a week. For certain areas at mid-levels, or streets with fewer pedestrians and vehicles, the frequency of street-washing can be maintained at the level offered in the Performance Pledge, i.e. at least once every fortnight.

Here I have mainly talked about dust in the air. Street-washing is actually one of the improvement measures to combat this ‘number one enemy of clean air', dubbed by the EPD. At the same time, this service shows that the Urban Council is contributing to solving the problem. The EPD has already proposed numerous measures to improve the air quality, including the improvement measures on vehicle emissions and industrial fuels. I would like to emphasise that street-washing improves not only the air quality, but also the appearance of a city because waste left behind by people, animals and hawkers will be washed away in the process. Stressing on a quality street-washing service, I should point out that apart from increasing the frequency, workers should also perform their duties earnestly. Moreover, the service provided in different districts should be supervised by Councillors. If this is not the case, the cleansing workers would wash streets only in a perfunctory manner, which cannot be regarded as a service. I wish that we can have a Hong Kong with no dust but a clear blue sky. Let us picture that, as crystal clear water wash away the dust, streets are beaming with cool air where people are hustling and bustling in a hot summer. I wish that Members will understand the seriousness and urgency of the problems caused by the ‘number one enemy of clean air', and support my motion. Mr. Chairman, thank you.

MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.

MR. ALBERT LAI Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, although Mr. NG's motion omits certain related matters and is not extensive enough, I support its general direction that the frequency of street-washing should be systematised. As a matter of fact, some streets cannot be kept clean if they are washed merely twice a week. For instance, the Chun Yeung Market in North Point would be stinky if it was not washed daily; as for the Sui Wo Market in Kwun Tong, if it was not washed daily, I believe that the residents nearby would easily catch infectious diseases. For Yue Mun Square in Kwun Tong, unless it is frequently washed, passers-by can hardly stand the bad smell.

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Page 134 of 498 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 131 Since the majority of highly-polluted streets are in urban areas, the frequency of washing highly-polluted streets in busy areas should be increased, say, my constituency Mongkok, or Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok West, Kowloon City, To Kwa Wan, Kwun Tong town centre, Wanchai, Central and any other highly-polluted streets in other Members' constituencies. Please remind me if I miss any other similar districts. Some of the districts I have just mentioned are actually cited from the EPD's study report. From the findings, we would recognise the need to increase the frequency of street-washing in highly-polluted areas to at least twice a week. The frequency for streets in most other urban areas should also be increased to at least once a week. For certain areas at mid-levels, or streets with fewer pedestrians and vehicles, the frequency of street-washing can be maintained at the level offered in the Performance Pledge, i.e. at least once every fortnight. Here I have mainly talked about dust in the air. Street-washing is actually one of the improvement measures to combat this ‘number one enemy of clean air', dubbed by the EPD. At the same time, this service shows that the Urban Council is contributing to solving the problem. The EPD has already proposed numerous measures to improve the air quality, including the improvement measures on vehicle emissions and industrial fuels. I would like to emphasise that street-washing improves not only the air quality, but also the appearance of a city because waste left behind by people, animals and hawkers will be washed away in the process. Stressing on a quality street-washing service, I should point out that apart from increasing the frequency, workers should also perform their duties earnestly. Moreover, the service provided in different districts should be supervised by Councillors. If this is not the case, the cleansing workers would wash streets only in a perfunctory manner, which cannot be regarded as a service. I wish that we can have a Hong Kong with no dust but a clear blue sky. Let us picture that, as crystal clear water wash away the dust, streets are beaming with cool air where people are hustling and bustling in a hot summer. I wish that Members will understand the seriousness and urgency of the problems caused by the ‘number one enemy of clean air', and support my motion. Mr. Chairman, thank you. MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, I second the motion. MR. ALBERT LAI Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, although Mr. NG's motion omits certain related matters and is not extensive enough, I support its general direction that the frequency of street-washing should be systematised. As a matter of fact, some streets cannot be kept clean if they are washed merely twice a week. For instance, the Chun Yeung Market in North Point would be stinky if it was not washed daily; as for the Sui Wo Market in Kwun Tong, if it was not washed daily, I believe that the residents nearby would easily catch infectious diseases. For Yue Mun Square in Kwun Tong, unless it is frequently washed, passers-by can hardly stand the bad smell. Page 134 of 498 Page 134 of 498 Page 134 of 498

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Page 134 of 498 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 131 Since the majority of highly-polluted streets are in urban areas, the frequency of washing highly-polluted streets in busy areas should be increased, say, my constituency Mongkok, or Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok West, Kowloon City, To Kwa Wan, Kwun Tong lown centre, Wanchai, Central and any other highly-polluted streets in other Members' constituencies. Please remind me if I miss any other similar districts. Some of the districts I have just mentioned are actually cited from the EPD's study report. From the findings. we would recognise the need to increase the frequency of street-washing in highly- polluted areas to at least twice a week. The frequency for streets in most other urban areas should also be increased to at least once a week. For certain areas at mid-levels, or streets with fewer pedestrians and vehicles, the frequency of street-washing can be maintained at the level offered in the Performance Pledge, i.e. at least once every fortnight. Here I have mainly talked about dust in the air. Street-washing is actually one of the improvement measures to combat this ‘number one enemy of clean air', dubbed by the EPD. At the same time, this service shows that the Urban Council is contributing to solving the problem. The EPD has already proposed numerous measures to improve the air quality, including the improvement measures on vehicle emissions and industrial fuels. I would like to emphasise that street-washing improves not only the air quality, but also the appearance of a city because waste left behind by people, animals and hawkers will be washed away in the process. Stressing on a quality street-washing service, I should point out that apart from increasing the frequency, workers should also perform their duties earnestly. Moreover, the service provided in different districts should be supervised by Councillors. If this is not the case, the cleansing workers would wash streets only in a perfunctory manner, which cannot be regarded as a service. I wish that we can have a Hong Kong with no dust but a clear blue sky. Let us picture that, as crystal clear water wash away the dust, streets are beaming with cool air where people are hustling and bustling in a hot summer. I wish that Members will understand the seriousness and urgency of the problems caused by the ‘number one enemy of clean air', and support my motion. Mr. Chairman, thank you. MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese);--Mr. Chairman. I second the motion. MR. ALBERT LAI Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, although Mr. NG's motion omits certain related matters and is not extensive enough, I support its general direction that the frequency of street-washing should be systematised. As a matter of fact, some streets cannot be kept clean if they are washed merely twice a week. For instance, the Chun Yeung Market in North Point would be stinky if it was not washed daily; as for the Sui Wo Market in Kwun Tong, if it was not washed daily. I believe that the residents nearby would easily catch infectious diseases. For Yue Mun Square in Kwun Tong, unless it is frequently washed, passers-by can hardly stand the bad smell. Page 134 of 498 Page 134 of 498 Page 134 of 498.

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Page 134 of 498

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

131

Since the majority of highly-polluted streets are in urban areas, the frequency of washing highly-polluted streets in busy areas should be increased, say, my constituency Mongkok, or Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok West, Kowloon City, To Kwa Wan, Kwun Tong lown centre, Wanchai, Central and any other highly-polluted streets in other Members' constituencies. Please remind me if I miss any other similar districts. Some of the districts I have just mentioned are actually cited from the EPD's study report. From the findings. we would recognise the need to increase the frequency of street-washing in highly- polluted areas to at least twice a week. The frequency for streets in most other urban areas should also be increased to at least once a week. For certain areas at mid-levels, or streets with fewer pedestrians and vehicles, the frequency of street-washing can be maintained at the level offered in the Performance Pledge, i.e. at least once every fortnight.

MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese);--Mr. Chairman. I second the motion.

MR. ALBERT LAI Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, although Mr. NG's motion omits certain related matters and is not extensive enough, I support its general direction that the frequency of street-washing should be systematised. As a matter of fact, some streets cannot be kept clean if they are washed merely twice a week. For instance, the Chun Yeung Market in North Point would be stinky if it was not washed daily; as for the Sui Wo Market in Kwun Tong, if it was not washed daily. I believe that the residents nearby would easily catch infectious diseases. For Yue Mun Square in Kwun Tong, unless it is frequently washed, passers-by can hardly stand the bad smell.

1996 — Page 134

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