View report page

10
SMOKE CONTROL
Smoke Control Areas
The Council's arrangements for the establishment of
smoke control areas proceeded according to the approved
programme. Orders in respect of Areas 4 and 4A came into
operation on Ist October 1963, bringing the total smok econtrolled
acreage to 1683 and involving 11,347 premises.
On the 29th October, the Public Health Committee
approved proposals for making a Smoke Control Order in
respect of Area No.5 which comprises 3,745 premises in
146 acres. It was estimated that 5,400 tons of solid
smokeless fuel would be required for this area, but the
estimates for adaptations were based on those suitable
for burning open fire coke (soft coke) which it was understood
would be available in sufficient quantities.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government, however,
subsequently referred back the order as they had sin ce
been advised by the Ministry of Power that adequate
supplies of open fire coke would not be available and
suggested that the Council might wish to reconsider the
matter in the light of Ministry of Housing and Local
Government Circular 69/63.
This Circular (dated 17th December 1963) drew
attention to the changes in the availability of smokeless
fuels which are anticipated as a result of rapid technological
changes in the gas industry. It emphasised that
sufficient supplies of solid smokeless fuels for use in
'improved' open grates will continue to be available to
meet the needs of areas already subject to smoke control
orders or where the orders have been confirmed but are
not yet operative and that there are in most areas
abundant supplies of hard coke suitable for use in openable
stoves and with under floor draught open fires. It foll ows
that in future smoke control areas will have to be plann ed
on a different basis and that where little or no open fire
gas coke is available it will be necessary to ensure that
only appliances capable of using other smokeless fu els
are installed. It was pointed out that gas, oil and
electricity are becoming increasingly competitive in
running costs with solid open fire fuels.
Where electricity is chosen the installation of
thermal storage space heaters should be encouraged and