​The contractor and sub-contractor of the Water Supplies Department, Yick Hing Construction Company Limited and Charmwood Development Limited, failed to comply with the requirements of the construction noise permit (CNP) twice when carrying out road works in Wan Chai. They were fined a total of $30,000 by Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (May 28) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received reports from a member of the public during October and November 2017 that road works were being carried out at night at a section of Queen's Road East near Anton Street and Monmouth Path in Wan Chai, causing noise nuisance. According to the video recording provided by a member of the public, EPD staff traced the construction site concerned. The contractors used unauthorised powered mechanical equipment to pave the road during restricted hours (from 7pm to 7am on the next day), which generated excessive noise and violated the CNP requirements. The EPD immediately revoked the CNP of the construction site and prosecuted the main contractor and sub-contractor involved after evidence gathering.
An EPD spokesman said, "The department has followed up with the works supervisory staff of the Water Services Department, and requested the contractors to properly arrange its works and strictly comply with all CNP requirements." The spokesman expressed gratitude to the member of the public for providing information and testimony to assist the department in successful prosecution against the contractors.
According to the NCO, anyone who violates the CNP requirements and uses powered mechanical equipment for construction works during restricted hours commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
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