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8
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF BOROUGH AND EXTRACTS FROM
VITAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1955
The Borough of Fulham lies in a loop of the River Thames which forms the whole of its
southern boundary and gives Fulham the longest riverside frontage of all the Metropolitan
Boroughs. Its other boundaries are formed by the Boroughs of Hammersmith in the west.
Chelsea in the east, and the Royal Borough of Kensington in the north* It is very flat and
low lying being only 12-23 ft. above sea level. The subsoil is of flood plain gravel overlying
London clay 20 to 40 feet below. Subsoil water is rarely met within 15 feet of the
ground surface.
Most of the houses in the Borough were built between 1890 and 1910 a time when speculative
building was rampant. It is principally a dormitory Borough with a fringe of heavy
industrial undertakings mainly on the riverside and is well served with open spaces and
parks which have been added to by post war development. Every opportunity is also taken by
the Council to construct and maintain small gardens on suitable sites where they will provide
resting places and pleasure for the passers by. The slum clearance and redevelopment
programmes are also having the effect of both improving the standard of housing and the
appearance of the Borough.
POPULATION (estimated) 118,600
AREA of Borough .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,706 acres
SEPARATE DWELLINGS (estimated at 6,4.55) .. .. 35,231
Rateable Value £1,0186,201. Rate levied 20/6d. in the £, Estimated yield £ 1,188,180.
A PENNY RATE produces approximately £4,830 per annum.