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Smoke Control Area No. 4. (1963)
Bounded by Champion Park, Grove Lane, Dog Kennel
Hill the railway line between East Dulwich and North
Dulwich stations, Red Post Hill, Sunray Avenue and the
Borough boundary.
Size 184 acres
Estimated No. of premises 1,700
Estimated No. of dwellings 1,620
Before the end of the year under review, the
preliminary survey of Area No. 2 had been completed and
the Minister's approval in principle was sought. This
was received early in the new year and the detailed
survey was put in hand forthwith.
Railways
In view of the complaints of smoke from railway
engines received from residents in the vicinity of the
Victoria to Kent Coast railway line which runs through
the Council's Smoke Control Area No.1, an approach was
made to British Railways. At an interview on 8th June
1959 with the Assistant to the Traffic Superintendent, it
was stated that electrification of this line was being
introduced that very day and that by the end of 1959 the
steam services on this line would have been reduced by
50%. It was anticipated that steam services would be
completely eliminated by 1962 at the latest.
It was pointed out that firing of engines was
necessary to negotiate the up-gradient from Herne Hill
Station to Penge East Station, a journey which takes
about 7½ minutes for passenger trains and 11½ minutes for
freight trains. Firing, however, should not be necessary
on the up journey and consequently there should be no
smoke emission. It was further stated that the British
Railways firemen were properly trained in methods of
stoking to eliminate smoke emission and every effort was
being made to observe the requirements of the Clean Air
Act. The other railway lines in the Borough carry mainly
electric passenger trains and only a very few steam freight
services.
With regard to the heating of stations and other
railway buildings in the Smoke Control Area, an assurance
was given that only an authorised smokeless fuel would be
used in the future.