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Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok. This arrangement of interception at mid-stream will minimise the need to build additional drains in these highly congested urban

areas.

Under a preventive maintenance programme, the department continues to carry out inspection, de-silting and repair works for drainage systems. In 2009, over 1 900 kilometres of drains and watercourses were inspected and about $129 million was spent on such maintenance work.

To promote flood prevention concepts, the department arranged regular visits to the San Tin Flood Prevention Information Centre for district councillors and school students, and also distributed pamphlets to property management offices and the general public.

Nullah Improvement Works

In 2005, the Government announced a plan to provide decking to 16 sections of nullahs in urban areas to improve their surrounding environment. Eight sections of decking were completed between 2006 and 2007. Decking and improvements to another six sections are in progress and due for completion between 2010 and 2012. Improvement works for the remaining two nullahs are in the design stage and public consultation is being carried out.

The department has also started investigation into rehabilitation of the Yuen Long Town nullahs which were constructed more than 40 years ago. A feasibility study on improving the environmental conditions of the nullahs was completed in 2009. The department will carry out the preliminary design of the improvements to the town centre section of the nullahs.

Slope Safety

The Civil Engineering and Development Department's comprehensive Slope Safety System has brought about a substantial improvement in the safety of slopes by improving standards and technology, ensuring the safety of new slopes, improving the safety of existing slopes, and providing public warnings, information, education and community advisory services on slope safety.

Under the Landslip Preventive Measures (LPM) Programme, about $1.2 billion was spent in 2009 to improve the safety of slopes. Upgrading works were completed on 385 sub-standard government man-made slopes, all of which were landscaped to blend in with their surroundings. Safety screening studies were completed on 312 private man-made slopes.

A long-term Landslip Prevention and Mitigation (LPM) Programme was launched. It will deal with the landslide risk remaining after completion of the LPM in 2010, by upgrading man-made slopes and systematic mitigation of risk from natural hillside catchments with a known history of landslides where they are close to existing buildings and important transport corridors.