ENG-2010 — Page 288

238 Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation

channels in the upstream portions of the Ping Yuen River, Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River in the Northern New Territories is in progress.

Completed major flood protection works in the urban areas include the Tai Hang Tung Flood-water Tank and Kai Tak Transfer Tunnel in West Kowloon and the Sheung Wan storm-water pumping station which was commissioned in 2009. Construction of another nine kilometres of storm-water drains in East Kowloon will be completed by 2011.

To reduce further the flooding risk in urban areas, the department is working in full swing on the construction of the Hong Kong West, Tsuen Wan and Lai Chi Kok drainage tunnels, totalling 20 kilometres with 43 intake structures. Construction of the former two tunnels commenced in late 2007, while works on the Lai Chi Kok tunnel started in late 2008. These projects, when completed in 2012, will intercept and channel storm-water from hillsides to the sea through the intakes and drainage tunnels, thereby reducing the risk of flooding in urban areas including Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central and Western District, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, 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 2010, over 2 000 kilometres of drains and watercourses were inspected and about $111 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. Deck and improvements works for 12 sections of nullahs have been completed, and that for another two sections are on schedule for completion by the end of 2012. Improvement works for the remaining two nullahs are in the design stage.

Besides, the DSD commenced in August 2010 an investigation study cum preliminary design of the improvement works to the Yuen Long Town Centre Nullah.

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.