All-out effort for water main burst repair at Lai Chi Kok Road
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (September 29) received reports of a water main burst at Lai Chi Kok Road (Kowloon bound) near Cheung Sha Wan Police Station, causing a road subsidence covering an area of about four metres by four metres and is about two metres in depth. It was learnt that a taxi with a passenger stopped in time, and that the taxi driver and the passenger left the taxi before the road subsidence occurred.
The WSD project team, with the Police's assistance and the consent of the taxi owner involved, removed the taxi concerned from the scene, and the WSD would render appropriate assistance to the taxi owner on the claims. During the incident, the taxi driver felt sick and was sent to the hospital for medical check-up. The WSD's management visited the driver at the hospital and expressed condolence to him. The driver was found in a satisfactory condition.
The WSD, after dewatering of ponding water at the scene, conducted a further examination and noticed that a burst occurred at a fresh water pipe of 300 millimetres in diameter, which was connected to a water main of 750 millimetres in diameter. The fresh water pipe was a cast iron pipe laid in the 1960s and is providing fresh water to the vicinity of Cheung Sha Wan. As the WSD immediately stopped the water supply of the pipe concerned and completed a diversion of water supply, the water supply to users near the area was not affected.
Affected by the incident, all lanes of Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound) near Butterfly Valley Road are temporary closed and traffic diversions are implemented to facilitate urgent repair works. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to the public and drivers arising from the incident.
The project team is carrying out urgent repair and road reinstatement works. The traffic of Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound) fast lane had resumed at around 6pm this afternoon. The traffic of all lanes of Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound) is targeted to be resumed before 6am tomorrow (September 30). Also, the WSD had completed ground penetration radar detection in the vicinity near Lai Chi Kok Road (Mong Kok bound). Preliminary detection did not find any irregularities in underground structures nearby. For prudence sake, ground penetration radar detections at Lai Chi Kok Road (Tsuen Wan bound) fast lane have been arranged today and tomorrow.
The WSD is carrying out detailed investigation regarding this incident and will submit a report to the Development Bureau in two weeks.
The WSD is implementing multi-pronged measures, including adopting a "risk-based asset management programme for water mains", establishing approximately 2 400 Water Intelligent Network district metering areas and "main burst hot spots" mechanism, etc, with a view to strengthening the monitoring as well as replacing or rehabilitating specific sections of water mains to reduce the risks of water main bursts or leaks. The number of annual main burst cases has been greatly reduced from round 2 500 in 2000 to 34 cases in 2023. As of August this year, the WSD recorded a total of 20 main burst incidents.
In the heart of Tsuen Wan, taking a walk through the footpaths around Lo Tak Court is reminiscent of the unique charm of traditional walled villages.
The Government is committed to enhancing the community’s streetscapes by beautifying public spaces and streets. Led by the Deputy Chief Secretary, the Task Force on District Governance actively supports various local initiatives. One of them is aimed at creating a pedestrian-friendly environment to elevate the public’s walking experience.
In this regard, the Highways Department has implemented streetscape improvements in Lo Tak Court in Tsuen Wan, the Outlying Islands Ferry Pier in Central and in the vicinity of MTR Tai Wai station, introducing thematic designs to pedestrian facilities that reflect the character of the districts.
The design on the footbridge across Hip Wo Street in Kwun Tong will showcase the view from the peak of Shum Wan Shan, offering a panoramic scene of Kowloon Peak and Shun Lee Estate.
Inspiring nostalgia
Located on the original site of Ho Pui Village in Tsuen Wan, which was demolished in the 1960s, Lo Tak Court comprises multiple pedestrian streets and serves as a bustling food hub in the district.
The area’s beautification design adopts the Tsuen Wan Walled Village theme as it features uniquely decorated lampposts and flower beds that revive the historic village’s architectural traits and landscape.
"The design of thematic wallpapers for planters resembles the furniture and decoration of an old walled village, giving pedestrians an impression of looking back into the room from the courtyard," Highways Department Landscape Architectural Assistant Angela Lam explained.
She added that wallpapers on lampposts adopt the concept of brick walls, tile roofs, and decorative ceilings of the old walled village.
Highways Department Landscape Architectural Assistant Angela Lam says Lo Tak Court’s beautification adopts the Tsuen Wan Walled Village theme and scenery of blossoming cotton trees nearby.
It may not be spring yet, but cotton trees are still blossoming in the form of paintings adorning the columns of footbridges.
Miss Lam highlighted that the original site near Tsuen Wan MTR station, adjacent to Lo Tak Court, was named Muk Min Ha Tsuen, which in English means cotton trees. Nowadays, many cotton trees still bloom every year outside the station, attracting various small animals, such as birds and squirrels.
This scenery has been incorporated into the paintings on the columns of footbridges and manhole covers, making them popular photo spots in Lo Tak Court.
Street beautification projects unveiled in Central and Tai Wai also showcase the districts unique cultural charm.
The department has been repaving a total of 40 sections of public footpaths spanning over 16,700m to ensure an enhanced walking experience for citizens.
The Outlying Islands Ferry Pier in Central evokes the nostalgia of Lamma Island's fishing village culture with its soft blue tint. Adding to the atmosphere are designs incorporating the windsurfing sail of Hong Kong’s first Olympic gold medallist Lee Lai-shan and Cheung Chau’s famous lucky buns.
Outside Tai Wai MTR station, paintings of egrets along the river channels to Tolo Harbour are a common sight, alongside depictions of city wildlife like masked palm civets and leopard cats, as a nod to urban waterways and rural life.
Fantastic makeovers
Hong Kong's 18 districts are set for a makeover as the department is taking various measures to refine the urban scenery.
It also plans to renovate or refurbish two pedestrian footbridges and subways in each district in two phases, covering repairs, repainting, and upgrades to handrails and lighting for improved safety and comfort. The first phase, which has already begun, is projected to conclude gradually by year-end.
Highways Department Landscape Architect Sandra Ng said that the design concepts will be customised to highlight the individuality of each district.
Highways Department Landscape Architect Sandra Ng says the first phase of renovations in each district has alread.
Drawing on the example of the footbridge construction across Hip Wo Street in Kwun Tong, Miss Ng emphasised that the design is themed on mountain trails inspired by the nearby hiking route Shum Wan Shan, known as the Kwun Tong Back Garden.
“On the main walls, we are featuring a view from the peak of Shum Wan Shan, showing the view of Kowloon Peak and Shun Lee Estate. Also, the walls along the barrier-free access will display continuous graphics of shrubs and trees to match the hiking theme.
“We hope to introduce this unique and precious Kwun Tong Back Garden in the district to more members of the public.”
Miss Ng pointed out that a pedestrian subway in Sha Tin will also be revamped with a design integrating the district’s landmarks, such as Tsang Tai Uk and Lek Yuen Bridge, with visuals of rowing boats and cyclists along the Shing Mun River. Such improvements, she revealed, embrace a blend of motion and stillness, and a sense of urban vitality.
The department expects the second phase of the renovation to start in early 2025 for gradual completion by the middle of the year.
The department plans to renovate designated footbridges and subways across Hong Kong’s 18 districts in two phases.
Road improvements
Meanwhile, it has launched the Expanded Footpath Repaving Scheme to repave a total of 40 sections of public footpaths spanning over 16,700m, encompassing locations such as Queensway in the Central & Western District and Salisbury Road in the Yau Tsim Mong District.
The department stressed that it thinks carefully about overall pavement conditions to enhance citizens’ walking experience when it comes to planning such maintenance and repair work.
