A Government spokesman said today (March 23) that consent has been given to resume the pile foundation works of a private development project (Grand YOHO 3) near MTR Yuen Long Station.

 

     The spokesman said that the acceptable limit of the settlement monitoring checkpoints installed at two viaduct piers near MTR Yuen Long Station was 20 millimetres. The readings recorded reached 15mm to 18mm in September 2013. Although these values did not exceed the acceptable limit and there was no structural safety concern on the two piers, the pile foundation works of the above private development were suspended in September 2013 having regard to the settlement recorded and upon request by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL).

 

     After suspension of the works, the Buildings Department (BD) has continued to closely monitor the changes in the settlement levels. The MTRCL has also been closely monitoring the structure of the viaduct piers and tracks to ensure railway safety has not been affected. To alleviate the extent of settlement of the two affected piers, the MTRCL subsequently submitted a preventive and strengthening works proposal to the BD, and obtained the BD’s acceptance for the proposed works. The proposed grouting and underpinning works have been carried out. According to the monitoring records, the settlement of the two piers has been reduced to 12mm to 13mm. 

 

     The registered building professional concerned for the private development has submitted to the BD the amendment plans for the foundation works and has proposed suitable mitigation measures to ensure that structural safety of the piers and the nearby railway facilities would not be affected by the resumption of works. The BD has imposed extra conditions when approving the amendment plans, requiring implementation of a series of measures to enhance site supervision and the safety of works when carrying out the remaining works. The registered building professional then requested resumption of the suspended works.

 

     The BD has confirmed the structural safety of the railway facilities concerned, and the MTRCL has confirmed that the resumption of works would not affect the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has also confirmed that the MTRCL has put in place stringent monitoring measures to ensure the safety of railway operation.

 

     Having considered the above advice and the mitigation measures proposed by the registered building professional concerned, the request for resumption of works was accepted today and the suspended building works will resume on March 30.

 

     “The BD, the EMSD and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the structural safety of the railway facilities and safe operation of the railway,” the spokesman said.