The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 22) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches which are open all year round for swimming.  

     Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).

Grade 1 beaches are:
 

     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 22) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Transport Department (TD) published in the Gazette today (February 22) the revised Code of Practice for the Loading of Vehicles. The purpose of the code is to ensure that owners, operators and drivers of goods vehicles are aware of their obligations with regard to the safe transportation of goods in accordance with the law, and also to provide guidance as to the most appropriate means of achieving this.
 
     The major revisions to the code include:
 
(1) Adding the requirement on installation of a reversing video device in goods vehicles;
(2) Adding the guidance on principles of load safety and transportation of high loads;
(3) Supplementing the guidance on selection of load carrying vehicles and arrangement of loads;
(4) Adding guidance on the use of anchorage points and headboards;
(5) Adding guidance on the use of load securing equipment and requirements for securing loads; and
(6) Supplementing the guidance on transporting different types of freight.
 
     A spokesman for the TD reminded operators of goods vehicles to read the code in detail so as to better know the requirements on the transportation of goods as stipulated in the existing legislation, and to follow the guidance provided. This will ensure the safety of road users and the public at large.
 
     Members of the public may download the revised code, which is available in Chinese and English free of charge from the TD website (www.td.gov.hk), or obtain the printed version for free at the Licensing Offices of the TD and District Offices.

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (February 22) invited tenders for the Elevated Pedestrian Corridor in Yuen Long Town connecting with Long Ping Station (Contract No. HY/2018/03).

     The works are scheduled to commence in July 2019 and will take about 50 months to complete. The works mainly include:

* construction of a covered elevated pedestrian corridor of about 540 metres long and 6m clear width along the Yuen Long Town Nullah from Long Ping Station to the south of Kau Yuk Road;
* construction of six pedestrian connectivity platforms adjacent to Yuen Long On Ning Road, Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long and Kau Yuk Road with staircases, lifts and escalators to connect the covered elevated pedestrian corridor with the existing at-grade footpaths; and
* associated road, drainage, utilities, public lighting, landscaping, and electrical and mechanical works.

     The HyD has appointed Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Limited as the consultant to design and supervise the construction works. Interested contractors can obtain the tender forms and other particulars from Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Limited at Level 5, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.

     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. Submission of tenders will close at noon on April 26, 2019 (Friday). Tender submissions should be placed in the Government Secretariat Tender Box located at the lobby of the Public Entrance on G/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.

     For enquiries, please call the consultant at 2268 3595.

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (February 22) invited tenders for "Lift and Pedestrian Walkway System between Castle Peak Road and Kung Yip Street, Kwai Chung" (Contract No. HY/2019/02).
 
     The works are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2019 and will take about 42 months to complete. The works will mainly include:
 
(a) construction of a lift tower of approximately 40 metres in height with two lifts at Kung Yip Street;
 
(b) construction of a lift tower of approximately 12m in height with one lift adjacent to the western footpath of Castle Peak Road – Kwai Chung;
 
(c) construction of a lift tower of approximately 40m in height with two lifts adjacent to the eastern footpath of Castle Peak Road – Kwai Chung;
 
(d) construction of a covered elevated pedestrian walkway of approximately 3m in clear width and 75m in length to connect the lift towers mentioned in items (a), (b) and (c);
 
(e) construction of a covered elevated pedestrian walkway of approximately 3m in clear width and 50m in length to connect the lift tower mentioned in item (c) and Shek Lei (I) Estate;
 
(f) construction of two staircases to connect the elevated pedestrian walkway mentioned in item (d) and Castle Peak Road – Kwai Chung; and
 
(g) ancillary works including associated geotechnical, road, drainage, utilities, landscaping, public lighting, and electrical and mechanical works.
 
     The HyD has appointed WSP (Asia) Limited as the consultant to design and supervise the construction works. Interested contractors can obtain the tender forms and other particulars from the office of WSP (Asia) Limited at 7/F, One Kowloon, 1 Wang Yuen Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong.
 
     The invitation to tender was gazetted today. Submission of tenders will close at noon on April 12, 2019 (Friday). Tender submissions should be placed in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at the lobby of the Public Entrance on the Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong.
 
     For enquiries, please call the consultant at 2579 8899.