ENG-2003 — Page 347

THE ENVIRONMENT

sensitive receivers with indirect mitigation measures in the form of good quality windows and air-conditioning.

To address the noise impact of existing roads, the mitigation measures including retrofitting of noise barriers and resurfacing with low noise material would be implemented where practicable at existing excessively noisy roads. The Government has identified some 30 existing road sections as targets for the retrofitting of noise barriers. The extensive retrofit programme is being carried out in phases having regard to the resource availability. So far, 72 local roads have also been identified as possible targets for resurfacing with low noise material. The resurfacing programme is in progress and will benefit about 40 000 residential units upon completion. In addition, all high-speed (70km/hr or above) roads have been resurfaced with low noise material where technically feasible.

To ensure that individual vehicles do not produce excessive noise, the Government tightened legislation in 2002 requiring all newly registered vehicles to comply with the latest internationally recognised noise standards. The noise standard will continue to be tightened in step with international developments.

Railway Noise

Various noise reduction programmes have been implemented by railway operators since the early 1990s to address noise problems along existing railways. So far, noise mitigation projects have brought relief to some 110 000 residents affected by train noise. New railway projects are required to undergo Environmental Impact Assessments to ensure that the noise impact would be properly addressed.

Aircraft Noise

The problem of aircraft noise has been substantially overcome with the relocation of the airport to Chek Lap Kok, where the surrounding sea is the only area affected by severe aircraft noise and only about 100 village houses are within the moderately affected area. Although aircraft noise has been controlled within the planning standard for almost all of the residents under the new flight paths, there is concern about the aircraft noise impact on residents who were previously unaffected. The Government is mindful of the concern and will continue its effort in exploring and implementing all practicable aircraft noise mitigation measures, details of which are given in Chapter 13 (Transport: section on Aircraft Noise Management).

Noise from Industrial or Commercial Activities

Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled by means of noise. abatement notices. The EPD will serve abatement notice to require the owners of premises emitting excessive noise to reduce it within a given period. In 2003, the department handled about 3 500 complaints and served some 150 abatement notices, which led to some 20 prosecutions.

Construction Noise

Noise from general construction work between 7 pm and 7 am, and on public holidays, is controlled through construction noise permits. The permits restrict the use of equipment according to strict criteria and ban noisy manual activities in built-up areas. Percussive piling is prohibited at night and on public holidays and requires a permit during daytime on any day not being a public holiday. In 2003, some 2 800

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