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London and the contiguous suburban development areas of Kent
and, locally, the river carries the surface water from parts of
Deptford, Greenwich, Lewisham and Woolwich.
In recent years marsh areas have been filled in and the increase
in paved areas resulting from the rapid expansion of housing
estates and haphazard culverting have all served to swell the
rate and quantity of run-off water discharged into the river.
Combined sewage systems have tended to lessen the effects but
the problem has been considerably aggravated by the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish in the water course. Further development, now taking place and planned for the future, will undoubtedly increase the flow, frequency and intensity of the flooding during storm periods unless measures are taken immediately
to off-set these factors.
It was for this reason that the River Ravensbourne,
etc. (Improvement and Flood Prevention) Act 1961. was
introduced to confer like powers on the London and Kent
County Councils for "the improvement and protection of
and the prevention of flooding from the River Ravensbourne and
its tributaries and for purposes connected therewith." In London
it applies not only to the rivers Ravensbourne, Pool, and Quaggy,
the Kid Brook, Kyd Brook and the Lower Kid Brook but also to
the parts of all tributaries, brooks and watercourses (whether open
or covered) that flow into these rivers or streams.
Powers are given to both these County Councils to make bylaws and, in the prevention of pollution,
(a) to dredge, cleanse and scour the stream,
(b) to reduce or remove any shoals, shelves, banks or other
accumulations in the stream,
(c) to abate or remove, or cause to be abated or removed,
all or any impediments, obstructions or nuisances whatsoever in the stream or on the banks thereof.
Such powers include the purchase of any necessary land by agreement or compulsorily and the prohibition of the deposition of any
articles, matter, etc. in the stream or on the banks. Dredging of
streams covered by the Act is also prohibited except with the express permission of the respective County Council. The County
Council's consent is also required in connection with the erection
of any buildings, etc., in or over the said streams.
In administering the Act the County Councils have shouldered
a very formidable but necessary task and many practical obstacles
must be overcome. For instance sewers and other services cross
the stream at many points, some above and some below the
river, the one obstructing the flow the other restricting alterations