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The work undertaken by the public health department is a
small part of that taking place throughout the country, and all
results obtained in Kensington are forwarded to the Fuel Research
Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
for correlation with results obtained in all other districts.
In this connection it is a matter of interest that the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research requested the
Council to use a Reflectometer for measuring the amount of atmospheric
pollution recorded by the filter papers at the three smoke
measuring stations maintained in the borough by the Council. This
instrument enables greater accuracy to be obtained and eliminates the
possibility of human error. The Council agreed to purchase a
Reflectometer for this work and the instrument is now in daily use in
the department.
NOISE ABATEMENT ACT, I960
This Act came into operation on 27th November, 1960.
Under Section 1 any noise or vibration which would amount to a
nuisance at common law is deemed to be a statutory nuisance which
can be dealt with according to the procedure provided in Part III
of the Public Health Act, 1936.
In London, Section 66 of the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1937 has for many years given Metropolitan Borough
Councils power to deal with noise as a nuisance under the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, where a person made or caused to be made
or continued an excessive or unreasonable or unnecessary noise which
was injurious or dangerous to health.
The Noise Abatement Act, i960 amended this Section to
conform with the new meaning of noise nuisance.
Local authorities are now able to require the abatement of
a noise or vibration nuisance (not necessarily injurious or dangerous
to health) by the service of an abatement Notice on the person
causing the nuisance and, if the Notice is not complied with, it can
be enforced by proceedings in a Magistrate's Court.
Apart from action by a local authority, any three or more
occupiers of land or premises who are aggrieved by a noise or
vibration nuisance may make complaint direct to a Magistrate.
Complaints are received in the department from time to
time regarding noise nuisances, mainly arising as a result of
industrial work. In all cases, during i960, remedies were secured
without recourse to legal action.
It should be noted that, in the case of noise or vibration
caused in the course of a trade or business, it is a defence in any
proceedings to show that the best practicable means have been used
for preventing it and counteracting its effect.
PUBLIC BATHS
The Minister of Health (Circular l/60) has requested that
reference should be made to any public swimming baths in the borough.
The Council have provided indoor swimming pools at the
Public Baths situated in North Kensington at the junction of
Lancaster Road and Silchester Road.
The original building was constructed about seventy years
ago and no major structural alterations have since taken place.
However, the facilities available for the public are maintained in
as modern a standard as possible.