London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bexley 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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| Smoke Control Area | Area in Acres | Number of Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Bexley No. 1 | 109 | 1,367 |
| Crayford No. 1 | 756 | 986 |
| Crayford No. 2 | 463 | 3,661 |
| Erith No. 1 | 390 | 3,281 |
| Totals | 1,718 | 9,295 |
Two further Smoke Control Orders have been made but have not yet been confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government. They are as follows: —
| Smoke Control Area | Area in Acres | Number of Properties | Provisional Operative date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bexley No. 2 | 457 | 2,786 | 1st October, 1966 |
| Crayford No. 3 | 1,480 | 5,704 | July, 1968 |
| Totals | 1,937 | 8,490 |
The total number of houses and shops with dwelling accommodation in the new Borough is
about 70,000.
Since 1956 only approximately 1/9 of the area of the Borough and 1/8 of the houses have so
far been brought within operational Smoke Control Areas. At this rate of progress it will take
another sixty years at least to obtain a "smoke controlled" Borough! In my opinion the aim should
be to have the whole of the Borough "smoke controlled" within ten years or even less. This is
practicable if the Council so wishes. I feel it would be wrong for the public to have to wait any
longer for such a universally beneficial and long overdue measure.
It is so easily overlooked that the damage from atmospheric pollution is continuous and cumulative.
The new-born babe is being adversely affected from its very first breath. It is ridiculous to
spend vast sums of money on new hospitals to treat people for illness much of which could have
been prevented for all time by far less expenditure now on the elimination or reduction of
atmospheric pollution.
8. CONCLUSION
The above brief summary outlines the problem and the preventive measures open to the
Council.
It is my sincere wish that the Health Committee will recognise the enormous importance to the
inhabitants of Bexley of ensuring that as far as is within the Council's power, they have a smoke
free atmosphere in which to live and work.
I hope that the Council will support this view and provide a good example and give every
encouragement to the ratepayers to achieve a "smoke controlled" Borough of Bexley as quickly as
possible.
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