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CLEAN AIR
Smoke Control Areas
On the Ist October 1960, Camberwell's first Smoke
Control Order came into operation. This Order covers an
area of 1,025 acres at the southern end of the Borough
and involves about 3,000 properties. The detailed survey
of the second area in the Council's programme was well
advanced at the end of the year. This next area is contiguous
with Area No. 1 and comprises 230 acres in the Herne
Hill district; it is anticipated that it will become the
subject of an operative Order at the end of 1961.
During the year the Public Health Committee gave
consideration to the possibility of speeding up the smoke
control area programme. At their meeting in March 1960
they reviewed the position which at that time was up to
the schedule already approved, viz., four areas to be
established in 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963 respectively,
with 1975 as the target year for covering the whole of
the Borough. In an endeavour to accelerate the progress of
smoke control areas the appointment of a technical assistant
was authorised to help the Stroke Inspectors in their
duties. At the same time, bearing in mind that almost all
the properties in area No. 4 comprise local authority
estates, it was decided to bring this forward one year
and combine it with area N0.3 for action in 1962. This
would mean that by 1962 approximately one-third of the
Borough (1,607 acres) would be smoke controlled. The
estimated number of properties involved, however, is 9,600,
which represents less than one-sixth of the total number
of dwellings and other premises in the Borough.
Not unexpectedly, there have been some administrative
difficulties in connection with the establishment of the
first smoke control area and it is anticipated that as
progress is made northwards to the more densely populated
and industrial districts of Camberwell, there will be
others. Nevertheless, the experience already gained is of
great value and will undoubtedly prove to be of assistance
in any efforts to accelerate the work. Another factor
which will influence the progress of smoke control areas
is the number of housing estates erected in the Borough
since the war which are already virtually smokeless.
One of the main difficulties in the establishment of
the first Smoke Control Area was the failure of so many
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