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Buildings Department (BD) has removed 4500 dangerous and abandoned signs in the past 3 years. BD also plans to remove some 1,400 dangerous or abandoned signboards in this year.
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"For signboards left at the shop premises after closing down of business or its removal to other places, BD will issue Dangerous Structure Removal Notices to the owners of the signboards under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), to eliminate any potential danger that these abandoned signboards may, resulting from lack of maintenance, pose to the public. If the owners of these signboards fail to comply with the Removal Notice within the specified period (i.e. within 14 days), BD will arrange to carry out the removal works and recover the costs from the owners of the signboards." a spokesman for the BD said today (March 29).
"BD staff also carry out surveillance inspection of signboards in various districts. District Councillors have also been requested to refer any dangerous or abandoned signboards to BD for follow up action," he said. He also appealed to the general public to report any abandoned signboards to BD for action.
In 2004 and 2005, BD removed 1,496 and 1,597 dangerous or abandoned signboards respectively, of which 1,310 and 1,383 are abandoned signboards.
"To curb the proliferation of newly erected unauthorized signboards, BD has appointed private consultant firms to carry out inspections within 48 hours of receiving any complaints relating to unauthorized building works (including signboards) under construction. The consultants also carry out patrol inspections in various busy districts and take photographic records of signboards. BD will issue removal orders under the Buildings Ordinance to the owners concerned to remove any large unauthorized signboards found to be under construction or newly erected during inspection. Owners who, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with such removal orders may be prosecuted and are liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for 1 year; and a daily fine of $20,000," he said.
Moreover, in its annual large scale removal operations, BD has targeted in 2006 to remove, among others, large unauthorized signboards and TV displays installed on external walls of buildings in areas with heavy pedestrian flow such as designated pedestrianisation areas.
"No person shall carry out any building works, including the erection of signboards or TV displays, without obtaining prior approval of plans and consent to commence works from the Building Authority (BA). An authorized person (AP) should be appointed to coordinate and supervise the works, which should only be carried out by registered contractors," the spokesman reminded the public.
"To facilitate persons to erect signboards in compliance with the statutory and safety requirements through the proper procedures, BD has since June 2003 implemented a fast-track system for processing building plans of proposed new signboards submitted to BD for approval. The department will process the submission within 30 days," he said.
Ends/Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:24
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