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Powers were 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, banks or other accumulation
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 included 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 was also prohibited except with the
express permission of the respective County Council. The County
Council's consent was also required in connection with the erection
of any buildings, etc., in or over the said streams.
By virtue of the London Government Act, 1963, the functions
of the Kent County Council under the Act became the responsibility
of the G.L.C. from 1st April, 1965.
To carry out their duties in accordance with the Act, during
the current year the Greater London Council found it necessary to
make certain alterations to Elverson Road bridge and, in doing so,
they were obliged to acquire compulsorily the properties numbered
54 and 63 Elverson Road, S.E.8, the latter being within this Borough's
boundary.
atmospheric pollution
Conversion of energy from one form to another is a characteristic
of all life. With man, who has learned how to release stored
energy to modify his local environment, this is accompanied by
certain material by-products and it is the discharge of these into the
air which constitutes air pollution.
Air pollution, which is derived mainly from the combustion of
fossil fuels, consists of five major pollutants-carbon monoxide,
sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulate
matter.
Toxic effects of carbon monoxide are well known and, in the
presence of air and water, sulphur dioxide is an intensely irritating
substance at very low levels of concentration. With the hydrocarbons,
the oxides of nitrogen are the prime factors in the production of the
irritating and damaging 'smog' and, undoubtedly, the emission of
particulate matter such as soot, dust, ash and grit is in part responsible
in urban areas for respiratory ailments including bronchitis,
emphysema, bronchial asthma and lung cancer. Reduction of
available sunshine at ground level, resulting from a smokey atmosphere
inhibits the manufacture in the skin of vitamin 'D' and has a
stunting effect on vegetation.