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Hong Kong, like many metropolitan cities in the world, experiences various
noise problems, one of which is road traffic noise. Under the existing
policy, when planning new roads, the project proponent must ensure that
traffic noise will stay below the established noise limits. If it is envisaged
that traffic noise generated will exceed the noise limits, the project
proponent must adopt all practicable direct measures such as adjusting
the road alignment, surfacing the roads with low noise material or erecting
noise barriers to reduce the noise impact on the neighbourhood. Where
direct measures are inadequate, the project proponent has to provide the
affected noise 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.
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.
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 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.
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 permits for general
construction work and percussive piling were issued. There were 90 prosecutions
for working without permits or violating permit conditions.
In addition, the Government has also 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 a 'green' noise emission label
before use. In 2003, about 800 labels were issued.
To deter repeated violations of industrial/commercial
and construction noise offences, the Noise Control Ordinance was amended
in 2002 to include explicit provisions to hold the top management of a
body corporate liable for repeated offences committed by it.
The Police Force handles complaints on intruder alarm and neighbourhood
noise from domestic premises and public places. In 2003, the police dealt
with some 3 600 complaints and 17 offenders were convicted. |
