SCMP | Updated on Nov 17, 2008
The government is going ahead with the enhancement of the waterfront at Victoria Harbour.
It is also seeking to relieve traffic congestion with the construction of the Central-Wan Chai bypass. But why is it doing nothing to combat the worsening pollution in Central?
Every day, passengers along Pedder Street, Des Veoux Road Central and Queen’s Road Central are exposed to exhaust emissions from vehicles, in particular buses.
The situation is particularly serious near Pottinger Street, next to the “eyesore” of the former Central market, which has been in a dilapidated state for years.
Taxi drivers have told me that in the early evening they see many buses along busy Hennessy Road which are only half-full.
Why do we have overlapping bus routes?
This just exacerbates the pollution problems.
Also, a lot of these buses emit heavy black smoke.
It is clearly visible to the naked eye.
Why is it that the government allows bus companies to deploy environmentally-unfriendly vehicles in such a densely populated city as Hong Kong?
Surely in other cities around the world this would not be tolerated.
The Environment Bureau and the bus companies owe the public an answer as why these vehicles are still a major cause of pollution.
Mary Chan, Central