Road Traffic Noise

Hong Kong, like many metropolitan cities in the world, experiences various noise problems, one of which is road traffic noise. Under existing policy, when planning new roads, the relevant department or developer 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, they 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, they have to provide the affected residents with indirect technical remedies in the form of good quality windows and air-conditioning.

    To address the noise impact of existing roads, the Government announced a new policy in 2000 under which engineering solutions, by way of retrofitting of barriers and enclosures, and resurfacing with low noise material, would be implemented where practicable at existing excessively noisy roads. Where such direct engineering solutions are impracticable or where these solutions alone are inadequate in reducing the noise to an acceptable level, the feasibility of non-engineering solutions such as traffic management measures would be explored on a case-by-case basis.

    The Government has identified about 30 existing roads as targets for the retrofitting of noise barriers or enclosures. As this will be a large works project, the retrofitting programme would be carried out in phases having regard to the resource availability. In addition, 72 local roads have been identified as possible targets for resurfacing with low noise material. Feasibility studies are being carried out, and work began in December on sections of these roads already considered suitable for resurfacing. 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 in Hong Kong 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.

Aircraft Noise

The problem of aircraft noise has substantially improved 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 is studying and implementing aircraft noise mitigating measures as far as practicable by, for example, imposing restrictions on flight paths at night.

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 2002, the department investigated 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 practice, the use of noisy diesel, steam and pneumatic piling hammers has been phased out. In 2002, some 2 900 permits for general construction work and percussive piling were issued. There were 240 prosecutions for work without permits or violating permit conditions.

    The Government has also phased out old and noisy equipment. The law now 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 2002, about 1 000 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 offences committed by it.

Intruder Alarm and Neighbourhood Noise

The Police Force handles complaints on intruder alarm and neighbourhood noise from domestic premises and public places. In 2002, the police dealt with some 6 400 complaints and 25 offenders were convicted.