S.3.8

The construction works at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Terminals, are likely to cause dust impact on the nearby ASR, if no mitigation measures are in place. However, the construction dust impact can be reduced to an acceptable level with the implementation of dust control measures. Both general and specific mitigation measures are recommended to ensure no adverse air quality impact during construction phase.

MTRC’s Contractor

Tung Chung and Ngong Ping construction work sites

During construction

Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation

Specific

Applying watering regularly as required.

General

The following control measures are stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and should be implemented to minimise the dust nuisance.

·          The stockpile should be properly treated and sealed with latex, vinyl, bitumen or other suitable surface stabiliser if a stockpile of dusty materials is more than 1.2m but less than 2m high and lies within 50m from any site boundary that adjoins a road, street, or other area accessible to the public.

·        Effective dust screens, sheeting or netting should be provided to enclose the scaffolding from the ground floor level of the building or if a canopy is provided at the first floor level, from the first floor level, up to the highest level of the scaffolding where a scaffolding is erected around the perimeter of a building under construction.

·          Dump truck for material transport should be totally enclosed by impervious sheeting.

·          Any excavated dusty materials or stockpile of dusty materials should be covered entirely by impervious sheeting or sprayed with water so as to maintain the entire surface wet, and recovered or backfilled or reinstated within 24 hours of the excavation or unloading.

·          Stockpile of dusty materials should not extend beyond the pedestrian barriers, fencing or traffic cones.

S.3.8

·          Dusty materials remaining after a stockpile is removed should be wetted with water and cleared from the surface of roads.

·          Vehicle washing facilities should be provided at every vehicle exit point.

·          The area where vehicle washing takes place and the section of the road between the washing facilities and the exit point should be paved with concrete, bituminous materials or hardcores.

·          Where a site boundary adjoins a road, streets or other area accessible to the public, hoarding of not less than 2.4m high from ground level should be provided along the entire length except for a site entrance or exit.

·          The portion of road leading only to a construction site that is within 30m of a designated vehicle entrance or exit should be kept clear of dusty materials.

·          Every stock of more than 20 bags of cement should be covered entirely by impervious sheeting or placed in an area sheltered on the top and the 3 sides.

Loading, unloading, transfer, handing or storage of bulk cement or any cement during or after the de-bagging process should be carried out in a totally enclosed system or facility, and any vent or exhaust should be fitted with an effective fabric or equivalent air pollution control system or equipment.

·          Cement, or any other dusty materials collected by fabric filters or other air pollution control system or equipment should be disposed of in totally enclosed containers.

·          Stockpile of dusty materials should be either covered entirely by impervious sheeting, placed in an area sheltered on the top and the 3 sides; or sprayed with water so as to maintain the entire surface wet.

·          All dusty materials should be sprayed with water prior to any loading, unloading or transfer operation so as to maintain the dusty material wet.

·          Vehicle speed should be limited to 8 kph except on completed access roads.

·          Every vehicle should be washed to remove any dusty materials from its body and wheels before leaving the construction sites.

S.3.8

·          The load of dusty materials carried by vehicle leaving a construction site should be covered entirely by clean impervious sheeting to ensure that the dusty materials do not leak from the vehicle.

·          The working area of excavation should be sprayed with water immediately before, during and immediately after the operations so as to maintain the entire surface wet.

S4.5

Hellicopter

MTRC’s Contractor

Construction sites

During construction

PN 2/93 & EIAO

·           Use of helicopter instead of building haul road for material delivery

·           Two proposed touch down points (i.e. Airport Island and Tung Chung Bay) have been proposed for the construction stage.

·           Two types of helicopters (Vladivostok Air-Helicopter Type KA-32 and Erickson Aircrane type S64) with maximum sound power level (i.e. 1`00dB(A) during flyover)

S.4.6

Good Site Practice

MTRC’s Contractor

Construction sites

During construction

PN 2/93 & EIAO

·           Only well-maintained plant should be operated on-site and plant should be serviced regularly during the construction works.

·            Machines and plant that may be in intermittent use should be shut down between work periods or should be throttled down to a minimum.

·            Plant known to emit noise strongly in one direction, should, where possible, be orientated to direct noise away from the NSRs.

·            Mobile plant should be sited as far away from NSRs as possible.

·            Material stockpiles and other structures should be effectively utilised, where practicable, to screen noise from on-site construction activities.

Selecting Quieter Plant and Working Methods

·           Application of properly designed silencers, mufflers, acoustically dampened panels and acoustic sheds or shields etc.

·            Use of electric-powered equipment where applicable instead of diesel-powered or pneumatic-powered equipment.

·            Erecting noise enclosures around noisy plants.

S.4.6

·          Location of noise emitting plants at maximum possible distances from sensitive receivers.

·            Schedule of noisy operations during non-restricted hours.

·           Regular maintenance of site plant/ equipment.

Construction of Movable Noise Barriers

MTRC’s Contractor

Construction sites

During construction

PN 2/93 & EIAO

·           Movable barriers could be very effective in screening noise from particular items of plant when constructing the Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Terminal.  A noise barrier located close to the noise generating component of a PME could produce at least 10 dB(A) screening for stationary plant and 5 dB(A) for mobile plant provided it blocked the direct line of sight between the PME and the NSR.  The noise screening benefit for each item of plant considered in this assessment is listed as follows:

a.           mobile and items of large plant - assuming 5 dB(A) reduction: rock driller and compactor.

S4.8

Operational Noise

MTRC

Project Area

During Operation

NCO & EIAO

·           Minor mechanical equipment will be installed at the cable car termini (i.e. Tung Chung Terminal and Ngong Ping Terminal)

·           All mechanical equipment inside concrete building with at least 20 dB(A) noise reduction at the Angle Station or using then suitable material with at least 10 dB(A) noise reduction (i.e. installation of acoustic of the electrical motor) at the Terminals.

S.5.6.3

General Mitigation Measures

MTRC’s Contractor

Work site

During construction

Practice Note for Professional Persons with regard to site drainage (ProPECC PN 1/94)

All waste water generated on the site shall be collected, removed from site via a suitable and properly designed temporary drainage system and disposed of at a location and in a manner that will cause neither pollution nor nuisance.

·           The Contractor should construct, maintain, remove and reinstate, as necessary, temporary drainage works and take all other precautions necessary for the avoidance of damage by flooding and silt washed down from the works. The Contractor should also provide adequate precautions to ensure that no spoil or debris of any kind is allowed to be pushed, washed down, fall or be deposited on land or on the seabed adjacent to the site.

·           The Contractor should not permit any sewage, waste water or other effluent containing sand, cement, silt or any other suspended or dissolved material to flow from the site onto any adjoining land or allow any solid waste to be deposited anywhere within the site or onto any adjoining land and shall have all such materials removed from the site.

·           The Contractor should be responsible for temporary drainage, diverting or conducting of open streams or drains intercepted by any works and for reinstating these do their original courses on completion of the works.

S.4.6

·General Mitigation Measures

· 

·All waste water generated on the site shall be collected, removed from site via a suitable and properly designed temporary drainage system and disposed of at a location and in a manner that will cause neither pollution nor nuisance;

·The Contractor should construct, maintain, remove and reinstate, as necessary, temporary drainage works and take all other precautions necessary for the avoidance of damage by flooding and silt washed down from the works. The Contractor should also provide adequate precautions to ensure that no spoil or debris of any kind is allowed to be pushed, washed down, fall or be deposited on land or on the seabed adjacent to the site;

·The Contractor should not permit any sewage, waste water or other effluent containing sand, cement, silt or any other suspended or dissolved material to flow from the site onto any adjoining land or allow any solid waste to be deposited anywhere within the site or onto any adjoining land and shall have all such materials removed from the site;

·The Contractor should be responsible for temporary drainage, diverting or conducting of open streams or drains intercepted by any works and for reinstating these do their original courses on completion of the works;

Any proposed temporary diversions to stream courses or nullahs shall be submitted to the Engineer for agreement one month prior to such diversion works being commenced. Diversions shall be constructed to allow the water flow to discharge without overflow, erosion or washout. The area through which the temporary diversion runs is to be reinstated to its original condition when the temporary diversions is no longer required.

Work site

During construction

Practice Note for Professional Persons with regard to site drainage (ProPECC PN 1/94)

S.5.6.3

·           The Contractor shall not discharge directly or indirectly (by runoff) or cause or permit to be discharged into any public sewer, storm-water drain, channel, stream-course or sea, any effluent or foul or contaminated water or cooling water without the prior consent of the relevant Authority who may require the Contractor to provide, operate and maintain at the Contractor’s own expense, within the premises or otherwise, suitable works for the treatment and disposal of such effluent or foul or contaminated or cooling or hot water.

·           The Contractor shall at all times ensure that all existing stream courses and drains within, and adjacent to the site are kept safe and free from any debris and any excavated materials arising from the works. The Contractor shall ensure that chemicals and concrete agitator washings are not deposited in watercourses.

·           All Contractor’s equipment shall be designed and maintained to minimise the risk of silt and other contaminants being released into the water column or deposited in other than designated locations.

S.4.6

·The Contractor shall not discharge directly or indirectly (by runoff) or cause or permit to be discharged into any public sewer, storm-water drain, channel, stream-course or sea, any effluent or foul or contaminated water or cooling water without the prior consent of the relevant Authority who may require the Contractor to provide, operate and maintain at the Contractor’s own expense, within the premises or otherwise, suitable works for the treatment and disposal of such effluent or foul or contaminated or cooling or hot water;

The Contractor shall at all times ensure that all existing stream courses and drains within, and adjacent to the site are kept safe and free from any debris and any excavated materials arising from the works. The Contractor shall ensure that chemicals and concrete agitator washings are not deposited in watercourses; and

All Contractor’s equipment shall be designed and maintained to minimise the risk of silt and other contaminants being released into the water column or deposited in other than designated locations.

Work site

During construction

Practice Note for Professional Persons with regard to site drainage (ProPECC PN 1/94)

S.5.6.3

To reduce water quality impacts from construction sites mechanical grabs shall be designed and maintained to avoid spillage and shall seal tightly while being lifted; all vessels shall be sized such that adequate clearance is maintained between vessels and the sea bed at all states of the tide to ensure that undue turbidity is not generated by turbulence from vessel movement or propeller wash;

WQOsPractice Note for Professional Persons with regard to site drainage (ProPECC PN 1/94)

·           Reduce the amount of water used to dampen any surfaces or stockpiles

·           Prevent uncontrolled runoff from site by provision of perimeter drains at the seaward extremity of the sites in Tung Chung

·           Any liquid generated on-site should be treated and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Technical Memorandum (TM) on Standards for Effluents Discharged into Drainage, Sewerage, Inland and Coastal Waters.  Chemical or mulching toilets for tankering away the effluent or composting should be provided where there is no provision for making connection to the sewerage system.

·           All domestic effluent arising from the construction work force, any work camps, or canteen facilities should also be collected, treated and disposed of according to the provisions of the TM.

·           Any special works areas which may be provide for material storage or mixing, should be surrounded by bunds and have drainage collection systems to contain any spillages.

S.5.6.3

Water Gathering Ground

The following are Conditions for Working within Water Gathering Grounds as specified by Water Supplies Department.  They will apply in totality to the cable car project.

For all works within water gathering ground (WGG), the Contractor will be required to comply with the following conditions:

WSDPractice Note for Professional Persons with regard to site drainage (ProPECC PN 1/94)

·           All measures shall be taken to ensure that no pollution or siltation occurs to the catchment.

·           No earth, building materials, fuel, soil or toxic materials or any other materials which may cause contamination to the WGG are allowed to be stockpiled on site.

·           No storage and discharge of flammable or toxic solvents, petroleum oil or tar and other toxic substances shall be allowed within the WGG.

·           Any spoil shall be reused wherever practical, in-situ and where unavoidable surplus material shall be removed from the WGGs as soon as practicable

·           Temporary drains with silt/grease traps shall be constructed at the boundary of the site prior to the commencement of any earthworks.  The effluent from the drain shall comply with the standards of Group A Inland Waters as stipulated in the Technical Memorandum prepared by EPD on “Standards for Effluents Discharged into Drainage and Sewerage Systems, Inland and Coastal Waters”.  This will specifically apply at the Ngong Ping Terminal.

·           Regular cleaning of the silt/grease traps shall be carried out to ensure that they function properly at all times.

S.5.6.3

·           All excavated or filled surfaces which have the risk of erosion shall always be protected from erosion.

·           Facilities for washing the wheels of vehicles before leaving the site shall be provided.

·           Any construction plant which causes pollution to catchwaters or catchment due to leakage of oil or fuel shall be removed off site immediately.

S.5.6.3

·           Any soil contaminated with fuel leaked from plant shall be removed off site and the voids arising from removal of contaminated soil shall be replaced by suitable material to the approval of the Director of Water Supplies.

·           Provision of temporary toilet facilities shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Water Supplies.  All waste shall be cleared away daily and disposed of outside WGG.  The toilet facilities shall not be less than 30 m from any watercourse.

·           All mud and debris shall be removed from any Waterworks access roads and associated drainage systems.

·           Any chemicals to be used including fertilizers, disinfectants and deodorants within the WGG shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Water Supplies.

·           For drainage and sewerage diversions within or affecting WGG, the agreement of the Director of Water Supplies is also required.

·           No package STP or use of chemical toilet for work sites within water gathering ground;

·           Use of pesticides not allowed within WGG, use of fertilizers within WGG subject to WSD’s approval;

·           Washing of gondolas be carried out at Tung Chung Terminal only;

·           No diversion/concrete channelisation of stream at NP, and soft engineering approach be used to restitute the stream.

S.6.8

General Requirements

MTRC’s Contractor

Work site

During construction

Practice Note for Authorised Person and Registered Structural Engineers, Building Department

Detailed Design Stage

·          Maximising the opportunity for re-use of excavated materials for example, forming the temporary working platform

Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap 354),

·          Provide treatments for converting unsuitable excavated materials for use in other purpose e.g. upgrading of subsoil to topsoil by mixing with compost;

Land (Miscellaneous Provision) Ordinance (Cap 28);

·          Providing an area within the construction site to allow for sorting and segregation of materials.

Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354)

Construction Stage

·           Minimisation of waste generation for disposal (via reduction/recycling/re-use).

·           Segregating waste materials according to type to facilitate re-use and recycling.

·           Separation of inert construction and demolition materials for either re-use on-site or use as public fill.

·           During demolition works, segregating materials at source as far as practical.

·           Co-ordinate material deliveries to site in order to minimise storage times on site and the likelihood of causing damage.

·           Training site staff in waste minimisation practices.

·           Transport of wastes off site as soon as possible.

S.6.8

·           Maintenance of comprehensive accurate waste records.

·           Use of re-useable metal hoardings/ signboards.

·          No on-site burning will be permitted.

·          Follow the practice set out in 21/2002 - Trip-ticket System for Disposal of Construction and Demolition Material or similar.

Cleared vegetation from site clearance

MTRC’s Contractor

Work site

During construction

WBTC No. 5/98, Onsite Sorting of Construction Waste on Demolition Sites

·           Segregation of materials to facilitate disposal.

·           Segregation of excavated topsoil from roots and re-use for the landscaping works to eliminate the need for off-site disposal.

Demolition waste

·           Segregation of materials to facilitate disposal.

·           Appropriate stockpile management.

Excavated materials

MTRC’s Contractor

Work site

During construction

·           Segregation of materials to facilitate disposal/ reuse.

·           Appropriate stockpile management.

·           Re-use of excavated material on or off site (where possible).

·           Special handling and disposal procedures in the event that contaminated materials are excavated.

·           Follow the practice set out in WBTC No. 21/2002 - Trip-ticket System for Disposal of Construction and Demolition Material or similar.

S.6.8

Construction waste

·           Segregation of materials to facilitate recycling/reuse (within designated area and in appropriate containers/stockpiles).

·           Appropriate stockpile management.

·           Planning and design considerations to reduce over ordering and waste generation.

·           Recycling and re-use of materials where possible (e.g. metal, wood from hoardings, formwork).

·           For material which cannot be re-used/recycled, collection should be carried out by an approved waste contractor for landfill disposal.

Chemical Waste

MTRC’s Contractor

Work site

During construction

Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes, EPD

·           Storage within locked, covered and bunded area.

·           The storage area should not be located adjacent to sensitive receivers e.g. drains.

·           Minimise waste production and recycle oils/solvents where possible.

·           A spill response procedure should be in place and absorption material available for minor spillages.

·          Use appropriate and labelled containers.

·          Educate site workers on site cleanliness/waste management procedures.

·          If chemical wastes are to be generated, the contractor must register with EPD as a chemical waste producer.

·          Collection by a licensed chemical waste collector.

S.6.8

Municipal Waste

·           Waste should be stored within a temporary refuse collection facility, in appropriate containers prior to collection and disposal.

·           Regular, daily collections are required by an approved waste collector.

·           Provide sanitary facilities.

Operational Waste

·           Wastes should be stored within a designated storage area.

·           Wastes such as material wrapping should be segregated into recyclable, non recyclable and putrescible wastes, where possible to facilitate disposal.

S.7.8

Habitat/ Vegetation

Revegetate areas of temporary vegetation loss particularly woodland habitat and tall shrubland habitat resulting from the removal of habitat for the emergency rescue trail, which cannot be avoided for safety reasons (2 hectares as shown in Figure 7.5).

MTRC’s Contractor

Work Site

During Construction

MTRC will be responsible for the funding, management and maintenance of these proposed mitigation measures.

Species used for planting should be undertaken in consultation with AFCD and take reference from the species identified in the Tree Survey and be native to Hong Kong or South China region (if possible).

Reconstruct and revegetate the stream at Ngong Ping (refer to Figure 5.3), taking account of improved water quality in future. The restitution of the stream should take into consideration the potential presence (downstream) of protected and rare amphibian species. 

Riparian vegetation should also be planted and maintained.

Consultation with relevant community groups and relevant government departments would ensure that the stream restitution is effective.

Water should not be soured from any watercourses on site.

However the clearing of riparian vegetation should be avoided where possible along the Emergency Rescue Trail.

Protected and rare flora species including orchids and Camellia species will be maintained and fenced off from construction work to prevent any accidental damage. If any impacts are evident on rare or protected species the affected flora species shall be transplanted to similar environment as the original habitat (i.e. in the same habitat type in the local vicinity). All the individuals of the species should be relocated. It is recommended that seeds of the target species be collected to preserve the genetic resource and allow more source plant to transplant in case of the failure of transplantation. The seeds should be collected and preserved or germinated appropriately by qualified botanist.

S.7.8

Vegetation (that is considered to harbour sensitive habitat or of biological significance should be clearly marked by a qualified person for protection (to prevent accidental damage during construction), this person should be present during tree clearing.

During construction a suitably trained person shall be present to relocate any terrestrial fauna located in the construction area (including those that are rare or protected).  If any additional species listed as rare or protected are confirmed present, additional field surveys specific for the listed species should be conducted before the resumption of construction.

Noise resulting from the preparation for construction shall remove most faunal presence from the vicinity until construction has ceased, however it is recommended that a tap/ knock of trees prior to clearing should be undertaken to reduce the chance of faunal injury. If any fauna species that are injured during construction the species should be promptly treated by the nearest fauna carer or vet.

Where topsoil and vegetation is stripped during construction, wherever possible, topsoil and vegetative matter will be stockpiled.  Stockpiled material will be stabilised to prevent sediment generation and re-spread as part of landscaping and rehabilitation of disturbed areas following construction.  Exposed soil shall be covered or the run-off diverted away from stream habitats if possibly.  Temporary silt traps or sedimentation pools should be considered.

Cleared vegetation to be ‘chipped’ (where appropriate) and stored for use as mulch during site landscaping works and/or in surrounded vegetated areas susceptible to erosion.

Some of the locations are located in areas with vegetation. The contractor is not allowed to fell any trees or form any open access roads in any area or remove any vegetation without approval from the Engineer.

Construction Site Access

Only one pathway no wider than 1.5m shall be established to reach all of the tower locations within the Country Park (prior approval from Country and Marine Parks Authority is required). No additional paths shall be made.

S.7.8

Flags shall be placed indicating the lateral extent of the pathway. Flags shall be placed accordingly so those workers can easily distinguish the next set of pathway flags. A different set of coloured flags shall be used to define the work site at the tower locations. Workers shall not move any flags and shall notify the engineer if any maintenance is needed on the pathway or to the flags themselves.

Access to work sites to be restricted and signed to prohibit unauthorised entry and the construction area should be fenced. This will minimise disturbance to vegetation, including unauthorised clearing. There shall be no work outside of the designated sites.

Restrict the passage of machinery outside the designated construction areas and a minimum number of machinery parking areas should be used and clearly designated.

Workers shall not disturb birds and other animals.  Animals shall not be fed and no food shall be left for any animals and no pets of any type shall be allowed on any site.

Disturbance to Habitats (Waste/ Air Pollution/ Water Pollution)

Prior to works commencing on site, a complete photographic record shall be obtained of the site, its surroundings, any watercourses and any dams or pipes constructed by others.

A photographic survey shall also be made of the site upon completion of all works. Following review of the photographic record, additional measures may be needed to make the site look natural.

Reinstate temporary work sites/disturbed areas to its original condition immediately after completion of construction.

Workers shall not leave any litter on site. Litter shall not be burned on site but shall be removed off site. All surplus construction materials brought onto site shall be removed from site and daily clearance of general litter shall be undertaken. Particular care shall be taken with bottles, wire, polystyrene lunch boxes, plastic wrapping, cans and non-degradable materials. Waste from portable toilets will be taken off-site.

Watercourses shall not be polluted with soaps, detergents or excretion.

S.7.8

Prevention of Hill Fires

MTRC’s Contractor shall propose a Fire Prevention Strategy in the Method Statement to the approval of the Engineer for all works within the Country Park. The strategy will be developed prior to operation in conjunction with relevant Government authorities. This strategy will aim to protect sensitive plant communities within the site and it will also consider the needs of significant fauna species.

The Fire Prevention Strategy will include measures to prevent hill fires including no smoking; cooking or use of open fires on any site; no cigarette lighters or matches shall be carried onto the site in connection with the Tung Chung Cable Car Project. Welding or hot work is also not permitted and temporary fire fighting equipment shall be provided in all work areas.

Air Pollution Damaging Flora and Fauna

There shall be regular cleaning and frequent watering of the construction sites during dry periods to avoid dust (as determined by the engineer), but attention should be paid to prevent washing waste materials off site. No vehicles shall be allowed on site without written permission from the Country and Marine Parks Authority.

Storage and Handling of Potential Pollutants

No fuel or oil shall be stored within the Country Park and no pesticides or herbicides will be used within the Country Park.

Watercourses within and adjacent to the working areas shall be treated with extreme care. They shall not be used as repositories for waste materials. Extreme care shall be exercised during the transportation, handling and storage of potential pollutants and in the operation of mechanised equipment to avoid spillage.

MTRC’s contractor shall propose an Emergency Spillage Plan in the Method Statement to the approval of the Engineer for all works within the Country Park.

The contractor shall provide for all necessary materials on site for emergency spill measures and shall be trained in emergency spill response.

Details of drilling fluid additives confirming that they will not contaminate the water gathering grounds shall be deposited.

S.8.9

Tree transplanting:  Prior to construction work the detailed tree survey will have been completed.  Any trees identified as affected by the works will be first considered for transplanting to nearby suitable sites. Felling will only be considered as a last resort.  The feasibility of transplanting will depend on a number of factors such as size, health and species of the tree as well as the condition of the local terrain.  Adequate time (a minimum of 4 months) should be allowed for preparing trees for transplanting.

MTRC’s Contractor

Work site

During construction

MTRC will be responsible for the funding, management and maintenance of these proposed mitigation measures.

Tree protection:  Trees to be retained within or adjacent to works areas will be carefully protected by strong hoarding and if necessary additional protection to individual tree trunks to avoid damage by machinery.  The hoarding will also prevent contractors compacting soil around tree roots or dumping materials.

Topsoil conservation:  The topsoil layer on the steep hillsides where most of the towers are located is very thin and fragile.  Any excavation must carefully save and store the topsoil to one side of the works area for reuse upon completion.  Re-establishing grass and shrubs below and around the towers is a vital part of the landscape and visual mitigation works upon completion to minimise visual scars or soil erosion.

Replanting:  The existing species mix colonising the proposed worksites has been recorded and it is proposed that a complementary mix of indigenous species is specified for replanting at similar densities.  It is important that the species selected for replanting is hardy and commercially available.

Footpaths:  The proposed rescue trails will require cutting of a fresh track across the hillside and installation of a stable hard surface for emergency access.  It is recommended that wherever possible this is constructed using natural stone materials similar to the typical country park trails.  Excavated material from tower footings should not be discarded on the hillside but instead reused to construct the rescue trails as well as upgrade existing nearby walking trails.

Structures:  The following landscape design guidelines are proposed to minimise the potential visual impact of the terminals and towers.

Tung Chung Terminal:  This structure will be visually prominent in the centre of the new town and will be of a modern hi-tech appearance in keeping with the character of the adjacent urban development and image of the international airport.  Formal planting to the entrances and perimeter of the site will enhance the crisp and sweeping lines of the architecture.  It is not the intention to screen the building.  Instead it should be displayed in an interesting and complementary manner.

S.8.9

Ngong Ping Terminal:  This structure will not be so visually prominent.  It is more appropriate that the existing buildings of the Po Lin Monastery, the Buddha Statue and surrounding temples should continue to express the landscape and visual character of the Ngong Ping settlement.  The site for the terminal is relatively low-lying, situated behind a belt of mature trees and offset from the key visual axis of the Monastery and Buddha.  Thus the site topography and vegetation will generally screen the new building from most views within the heart of Ngong Ping.  However, it is important to consider the key view from the elevated position of the Buddha statue from where the terminal will be visible to the west.  Therefore, the terminal should blend as much as possible with the character of the surrounding settlement by adopting a similar overall density, mass, form and colour scheme. 

Towers:  The towers are a lattice steel frame design generally similar in appearance to the high voltage electricity pylontowers used by CLP or HEC.  There is no means of screening the towers and the best landscape mitigation is to ensure the existing ground profile and vegetation is reinstated below and around them upon completion.  The proposed scheme also minimises the number of towers, greatly reducing the potential visual impact.

Angle Stations:  The angle stations are more visually intrusive than the individual towers and comprise a short tunnel-like structure.  Using a glazing material for the canopy would make the structure more transparent and less visually intrusive.  However, there are arguments that this may result in greater bird strike.  In this case, it is preferable to safeguard wildlife as far as possible and adopt a more solid material finished in a recessive colour scheme. To reduce the visual impact a special design treatment is recommended. To help blend in the Nei Lak Shan Angle Station into the natural surroundings a “chameleon” colour treatment is proposed, that is, the structure will incorporate interchangeable roof panels using tones of green and ochre to match the summer and winter changes in surrounding vegetation colour. 

Night Lighting of Gondolas:  At first this would appear to be a potential visual impact.  However, in the urban area of Tung Chung the background light of the airport and new town, depending on the viewpoint, would render the small scale lighting of gondolas relatively insignificant.  Similarly, at Ngong Ping the short section of cable car visible is relatively remote and well screened from the village houses.  In the context of the Ngong Ping plateau the regular spots of light from the distant gondolas would be generally similar to the pattern of street lighting in nearby roads.  Where the lighting would be most incongruous is in the remote mid-section. Fortunately, there are very few VSRs in this location and the visual impacts are not expected to be significant.