'U-turn On Painted Steps Must Prompt Govt Rethink'

A conservationist has urged the government to learn its lesson after the Highways Department agreed to remove yellow anti-slip paint from a historic granite staircase in Sheung Wan, just three months after it was slapped on.

The Highways Department, which had earlier agreed to restore the steps to their original condition, says it will do this by melting the paint away.

Conservationists had complained that the paint was ruining the steps, which were built in the 19th century.

Katty Law, of the Central and Western Concern Group, met officials on Monday to discuss the situation on Shing Wong Street.

"We hope that the government can review the policies regarding the preservation of such kind of heritage and to have better coordination among various government departments in cases when they do work on such kinds of historical structures," Law said.

"They need to be extra careful and they should also inform people who live in the neighbourhood as well, beforehand, so that we can give our comments."