Dim View Preferred
Street Lights in Sai Kung Country Park
A simple request from villagers for more lighting at the entrance to their village of Pak Tam Au in Sai Kung Country Park, citing their own safety as well as that of hikers, has turned into a line of over 60 lights from the entrance to Lady Maclehose Holiday Village all the way up to Pak Tam Au.
Explore was told that the Highways Department decided that, since the cable had to run all the way up the 3km stretch to Pak Tam Au, they may as well install lights at regular intervals as well. Country & Marine Parks officials have said that “an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required for a project of this nature and scale”.
And yet park resident David Newbury is worried “that many shy, nocturnal creatures will be denied a crossing point and the Country Park will, in effect, be cut in two by this ribbon of light which could have disastrous consequences to feeding and breeding behaviour”. Another resident expressed concern that the speed of cars on Pak Tam Road would increase with greater night time visibility. Currently most cars are cautious, especially at curves, for fear of running into wild boars, porcupines, or other creatures that often migrate across the road in the evening. Lighting along this desolate stretch of road will give it dragway status.
The solution for now? Since hearing complaints - the Highways Department has so far not turned the majority of the lights on. Four at Pak Tam Au Village have been turned on but those trailing down the hill remain blissfully dark. But….will this continue?
Come to a meeting to discuss the issue with representatives of the Highways Department, AFCD and Home Affairs:
Conference Room
Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall
Thursday 11 May 2006 – 6:00pm