Do more to remove dangerous signboards, Hong Kong government urged as 117 are identified as threat to public
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong calls for database of signboards to prevent injury to passers-by
With Hong Kong well into the typhoon season, a political party has pinpointed 117 advertising signboards in eight districts that pose potential threats to traffic and passers-by.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong recently inspected 90 streets across the city and concluded that the government should reflect on its scheme for validating unauthorised signboards and review its regulations on signboard management.
The alliance also called on the administration to set up a database of signboards and conduct an annual clearance operation.
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“Some of the signboards have been abandoned for nearly 10 years after the shops closed, leaving a huge potential risk to residents,” said DAB lawmaker Gary Chan Hak-kan. “Some victims of falling signboards can claim for compensation from incorporated owners, who should not be held responsible.”
Some of the signboards have been abandoned for nearly 10 years after the shops closed
The Buildings Department said last night they were taking action through a supervisory commission formed in January last year. Last year it tore down 2,092 unsafe or unauthorised signboards.
