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25
Atmospheric Pollution.
Clean Air Act, 1956.
Smoke Control Areas.
The Clean Air Act, 1956, (Appointed Day) Order, 1958, made the
1st June 1958, the second appointed day, and on that date all those
Provisions of the Act not already in force came into operation. Section
11,one of the already effective Sections, gave the Council power to
establish smoke control areas by means of Orders confirmed by the
Minister. Following the coming into operation of a smoke control
Order, if on any day smoke is emitted from a chimney within the area,
the occupier of the building would be guilty of an offence, the maximum
Penalty being £10 for each day the offence is committed. No offence,
however, will be committed providing an authorised fuel has been used,
The Act provides for payment of Exchequer and Council grants towards
the cost of conversion or adaptation of any fireplace to burn smokeless
fuel in a private dwelling.
The Council had decided on their first smoke control area, which
comprised an area of 50 acres surrounding St. James' Hospital, and
approximately 570 private dwellings were involved.
Following a detailed survey, the Council declared the area, and the
Order, cited as The Metropolitan Borough of Battersea (No. 1) Smoke
Control Order, 1958, to become operative from the 1st October, 1959,
awaited confirmation of the Minister of Housing and Local Government.
Clean Air Exhibition.
The Exhibition was opened by His Worship the Mayor on the
18th October 1958, and was on view during the following week. The
Coal Utilisation Council, Coal Utilisation Research Association, South
Eastern Gas Board, and the London Electricity Board, were the major
exhibitors and provided their own staff. The Public Health Department
also exhibited, showing maps of the proposed Smoke Control Area,
smoke recording apparatus, and examples of atmospheric pollution.
Members of the staff were available to answer questions, and a keen
interest was shown by persons attending. On the opening day, approximately
600 persons visited the Exhibition, and an average of 500 persons
daily until the final day.
Atmospheric Pollution.
During the year, 32 complaints were made alleging nuisances from
smoke dust, grit, etc., emitted from premises in various parts of the
Borough All these complaints received careful and sometimes
Prolonged investigation.
In addition to dealing with specific complaints, observations are
kept upon the chimneys of any industrial plant which merits observation,
and the appropriate action taken. A total number of 213
observations were made. No notices were served.