A Government spokesman said today (June 7) that during the construction of foundation works for a public housing development project at Kai Tak Site 2B3, the reading in a settlement monitoring checkpoint installed at the MTR Sung Wong Toi emergency egress point of Tuen Ma Line reached 20 millimetres on June 5, which was the pre-set trigger level for suspension of works. In accordance with the established procedures, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has, on the same day, suspended the relevant foundation works of the development project within 30 metres from the emergency egress point as requested by the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Housing.
The above-mentioned monitoring checkpoint was installed by the HA to meet the requirement of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) in accordance with the established procedures for railway protection. These procedures aim to facilitate the MTRCL's monitoring of settlement data of nearby projects, thereby ensuring that the structural safety of railway facilities and the safety of railway operation would not be affected by the works concerned.
The ICU, the HA's building team, the Buildings Department (BD) and the MTRCL have deployed staff to inspect the emergency egress point concerned and confirmed that it is structurally safe. The settlement has not affected the structural safety of other adjacent railway facilities. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has reviewed the monitoring data submitted by the MTRCL in relation to operation safety of the railway and confirmed that the condition of the railway fulfilled the operation safety requirements. The construction works concerned have not affected the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway.
The ICU and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain close communication with the BD and the EMSD to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway.
The ICU and the MTRCL will request the HA's building team responsible for the development project to formulate mitigation measures and suitable construction methods that would not cause adverse impacts on the railway facilities.
Upon receipt of the above-mentioned proposal and application for resumption of the suspended works from the HA, the ICU will vigorously scrutinise the application including consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments, so as to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway. The EMSD will also confirm that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of railway operation. Moreover, if the HA's building team proposes to revise the monitoring trigger level(s) for suspension of works, the ICU will, on the basis of ensuring the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway, consider the proposal having regard to the circumstances after consulting the MTRCL and other relevant government departments. When the application for resumption of suspended works has been agreed, the ICU, the BD and the EMSD will make an announcement to the public about the decision.
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