ENG-2011 — Page 338

294 The Environment

Noise

Road Traffic Noise

Under the existing policy, project proponents are required to assess traffic noise impact when planning new roads and provide necessary direct mitigation measures to ensure traffic noise at the noise sensitive receivers stay within acceptable levels. Where direct measures are inadequate, indirect noise mitigation measures must be used.

To address traffic noise from existing roads, a programme to retrofit noise barriers on noisy road sections is being carried out in phases under the Public Works Programme. All high-speed (70 kilometres per hour or above) roads have been resurfaced with low-noise material wherever practicable. In addition, a trial programme to surface local roads with low-noise material is being implemented.

To prevent individual vehicles from producing excessive noise, the Government tightened legislation in 2002 to require all newly registered vehicles to comply with the latest internationally recognised noise standards.

Railway Noise

Various noise reduction programmes have been implemented by the railway operators since the early 1990s to address noise problems along railways, bringing relief to some 110 000 affected residents thus far. New railway projects are required to undergo environmental impact assessments to ensure their noise impact is properly addressed.

Aircraft Noise

The impact of aircraft noise on almost all residents in the vicinity of Hong Kong International Airport flight paths is within the planning standard. However, there is still concern about aircraft noise nuisance, especially during evenings and early mornings. The Government will continue exploring and implementing all practicable aircraft noise mitigating measures.

Noise from Industrial or Commercial Activities

Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled through the issuance of noise abatement notices. The EPD serves abatement notices requiring the owners or occupants of premises causing excessive noise to reduce it within a given period.

Construction Noise

Noise from general construction works between 7 pm and 7 am and on public holidays is controlled through construction noise permits. These restrict the use of equipment in accordance with 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 the daytime on any day that is not a public holiday.

The Government has phased out the use of noisy diesel, steam and pneumatic piling hammers. The law also requires hand-held percussive breakers and air compressors for construction to meet strict noise standards and to have 'green' noise emission labels.