Road Traffic Noise

Hong Kong 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 will exceed the 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, indirect noise-reducing measures, such as good quality windows and air-conditioning, must be provided.

To address the noise impact of existing excessively noisy roads, noise barriers and resurfacing with low noise material are being used where practicable. The Government has identified over 30 existing road sections as targets for the retrofitting of noise barriers. The extensive retrofit programme is being carried out in phases as resources become available. So far, some 70 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 an individual vehicle does 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 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 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 the aircraft noise nuisance, especially during evenings and early mornings. The Government is mindful of the concern and will continue exploring and implementing all practicable aircraft noise mitigating measures, details of which are given in Chapter 13 (Transport: section on Aircraft Noise Management).

Noise from Industrial or Commercial Activities

Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled by means of noise abatement notices. The EPD serves abatement notices requiring the owners/occupants of premises emitting excessive noise to reduce it within a given period. In 2005, the department handled about 3 200 complaints and served some 100 abatement notices, which led to some 20 prosecutions.

Construction Noise

Noise from general construction works between 7pm and 7am and on public holidays is controlled through construction noise permits. The permits 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. In 2005, some 2 700 permits for general construction work and percussive piling were issued. There were about 50 prosecutions for working without permits or violating permit conditions.

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 before use. In 2005, about 600 labels were issued.

To deter repeated industrial/commercial and construction noise offences, the Noise Control Ordinance stipulates that the senior management of a body corporate will be held liable for repeated offences committed by their body corporate.

In 2005, the EPD also introduced a new Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment system to promote the use of more environmentally friendly construction equipment and to facilitate the construction noise permit application process.

Intruder Alarm and Neighbourhood Noise

The Police Force handles complaints about intruder alarms and neighbourhood noise from domestic premises and public places. In 2005, the police dealt with some 3 000 complaints.