The Government elaborated today (August 6) the mechanism to monitor and make announcement, as well as specific measures regarding the impact of private construction works within railway protection area on the structural safety of railway facilities and safe operation of railway.

     A Government spokesman said that generally foundation works causing settlement in nearby structure is not uncommon.  To protect railway safety, the Government and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) have put in place stringent monitoring mechanisms in handling settlement of railway facilities caused by private construction works within railway protection areas.  In view of public concerns to the notification arrangement as revealed in a few recent incidents, the Buildings Department (BD), the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the MTRCL have reviewed the existing arrangement and stipulated measures to enhance communication and improve information dissemination arrangement.

     In accordance with the Buildings Ordinance (BO), private development projects have all along been required to obtain consent from BD and notify the department before commencing construction works.  Under the new mechanism, BD will notify both EMSD and MTRCL when granting consent to commence works for a private development project within railway protection area to allow MTRCL to timely formulate plan to monitor a safe railway operation.  In individual cases if it comes to MTRCL’s knowledge from other sources that private works have commenced within railway protection areas, MTRCL will notify BD and EMSD to enhance communication.

     BD will continue to formulate settlement monitoring checkpoint(s) and applicable pre-set limit(s) for works suspension for relevant private development projects.  In addition, MTRCL may require the developer of a private development project to set up additional monitoring checkpoint(s) and prescribe pre-set limit(s) for works suspension according to the established procedures for railway protection.  During construction of the private development project, if any monitoring checkpoint within the railway protection area records a settlement reading reaching the pre-set limit for works suspension set by MTRCL or the Government, or in any other circumstances where MTRCL or relevant government departments consider the settlement may affect the safety of railway facilities or railway operation thereby warranting works suspension, MTRCL, BD and EMSD will notify each other immediately.  In the next 48 hours, BD will complete inspection of the affected railway facilities to confirm their structural safety, and EMSD will complete reviewing MTRCL’s rail monitoring data to ensure a safe railway operation.  BD and EMSD will then issue a joint press release to report the situation to the public.

     The spokesman reiterated that foundation works causing settlement in nearby structure is not uncommon.  If the relevant settlement situation stays within the pre-set limit of the relevant monitoring checkpoint, it is not necessary to suspend the relevant construction works.  If the settlement reading reaches the limit for works suspension, the works have to be suspended and the relevant registered building professionals have to consider additional mitigation measures and remedial measures to rectify the situation.  However, it does not mean that the relevant railway facilities have been rendered structurally unsafe or the railway operation has become unsafe.

     The spokesman supplemented that during works suspension, BD, EMSD and MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and the safe operation of the railway.  BD and MTRCL will request the registered building professionals responsible for the private development project to stipulate mitigation measures to reduce impact brought to the structure of railway facilities.  EMSD will also ensure that MTRCL implements stringent monitoring measures ensuring a safe railway operation.

     Upon receipt of application to resume construction works, BD will continue to vigorously scrutinise such application under the principle of ensuring structural safety of the railway facilities.  BD will consult EMSD, other relevant government departments and MTRCL per the established mechanism.  BD and EMSD will jointly announce to the public the decision to accept application to resume construction works.

     According to the information provided by MTRCL, there are now 64 projects where settlement situation is being monitored within the railway protection areas.  MTRCL will make separate announcement on the list of such projects.

     BD regulates the planning, design and construction of buildings and associated works on private land to prescribed building safety standards according to the BO.  To safeguard the safety of railway structures, construction works located within the railway protection area as stipulated under Schedule 5 of the BO should comply with a more stringent set of standards, the registered building professionals must monitor the effect arising from the building works to adjacent railway structures per the requirements set out in the BO and its subsidiary regulations, as well as relevant “Practice Notes for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers” issued etc.  Comments and agreement of MTRCL have to be sought for the plans of the proposed works and the monitoring proposal.  The registered building professionals are also required to inform MTRCL direct before the commencement of any building works to enable formulation of appropriate monitoring plan.  EMSD regulates and monitors the safety of railway operation according to the Mass Transit Railway Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations.

     As for MTRCL, its dedicated railway protection team will monitor the status of various railway facilities in accordance with a set of stringent railway protection measures and procedures, including regular machinery inspection of railway structures to ensure that the track is always maintained in a safe and good condition, and requiring the contractor responsible for building works to set up additional monitoring checkpoints at appropriate locations to assist MTRCL to monitor the situation.

     Sport For All Day 2018, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), was held successfully yesterday (August 5). More than 220 000 people participated in free recreation and sports programmes at designated venues in the 18 districts and enjoyed free use of the LCSD's leisure facilities.
 
     "Members of the public enthusiastically supported the event. More than 189 000 people used our free facilities yesterday. A usage rate of over 95 per cent was recorded for the main arenas of sport centres. More than 102 000 people also enjoyed swimming for free at LCSD swimming pools," a spokesman for the LCSD said today (August 6).
 
     A variety of free recreation and sports programmes were held yesterday, including shuttlecock games, health talks and exercise demonstrations, sport participation events, parent-child activities and more for persons with or without disabilities. More than 38 000 people took part in these programmes.
 
     The spokesman said the LCSD will continue to promote sport for all in the community and the benefits of doing exercise regularly. Members of the public are encouraged to exercise at least half an hour a day for a healthy and happy life.

     The biennial New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF), celebrating its ninth edition this year, will be held from October 19 to November 18, featuring an array of pioneering shows by overseas and local performing groups. An early bird discount of 30 per cent off all full-price tickets for 10 selected programmes will be offered from today (August 6) to September 5.

     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the NVAF showcases innovative interdisciplinary collaborations, new talents and cutting-edge commissions, offering a range of new experiences for audiences.

     The opening programme "Tree of Codes" is a cross-boundary creative work that draws together world-class dancer Wayne McGregor, visual artist Olafur Eliasson and musician Jamie xx in a production combining literature, sculpture, architecture and space design with performing arts.

     Other shows are equally transformational in their merging of different disciplines and forms. The world's first underwater ensemble Between Music will present the Asia premiere of its underwater concert "AquaSonic", a novel integration of the arts and science that resulted from the concerted efforts of physicists, vocalists, audio engineers, neuroscientists, deep-sea divers and musical instrument makers. Choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan has turned Tchaikovsky's classic work "Swan Lake" upside down to create the dance theatre performance "Swan Lake/Loch na hEala" with a searing original score by Slow Moving Clouds that gives voice to people on the margins of society.

     Grammy and Academy Award-winner Tan Dun will lead a group of world-class vocalists including Shen Yang, Maria Chiara Chizzoni, Zhu Huiling, Wang Kang and Tan Weiwei, as well as instrumentalists Batubagen and Chen Yining, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, and the International Choir Academy Lübeck of Germany, in the Asia premiere of "Buddha Passion", a tribute to the legends of Dunhuang.

     Composed by noted American Chinese composer Du Yun, "Angel's Bone" is a powerful combination of opera, electronic rock and cabaret that spotlights the dark problem of human trafficking. Du won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for this work.

     The immersive theatre work "The Living Room" directed by Thomas Richards, a disciple of Jerzy Grotowski, will break the boundary between performer and spectator. Richards will also relive Fyodor Dostoevsky's words through comedy, tragedy, the grotesque and ancient songs of tradition in "The Underground: A Response to Dostoevsky".

     "Negotiation" is a cross-cultural dialogue between the royal Khon dance tradition and street hip-hop by the award-winning Khon artist Pichet Klunchun and Laotian dancer-choreographer Olé Khamchanla. Hong Kong choreographer Daniel Yeung will bring together local artists and a lion dance team for the experimental multimedia lion dance theatre work "Guan Yu's Ride of 1,000 Miles" that combines lion dance with contemporary dance.

     With incandescent lamps taking centre stage, "LightSpace" is a production of Sadler's Wells Theatre created by internationally renowned British lighting designer Michael Hulls, taking visitors on a unique immersive journey through light and shadow.

     Tickets for the NVAF early bird offer are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from today until September 5. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.

     For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.

          

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, will visit Shenzhen tomorrow (August 7). During his stay in Shenzhen, he will visit some high-technology companies as well as an eye hospital established by Hong Kong people.

     He will also meet with the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Ai Xuefeng, to exchange views on matters relating to Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation.

     Mr Nip will return to Hong Kong in the evening on the same day.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (August 6) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department's enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
      
     The 18 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate,
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
      
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 21 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.