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211
Pigeon Nuisance
A local authority is enabled by Section 74 of the Public Health
Act, 1961, to deal with nuisance arising from the congregation of
pigeons believed to be ownerless.
During the year, 41 complaints were received and, where
justified, arrangements were made to reduce the pigeons to a
reasonable number by members of the Rodent Control Staff.
Narcotic treatment, authorised by licence from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, was carried out at 3 points in the
Well Hall area with reasonable success. To ensure that the pigeons
would take the narcotic bait, pre-baiting with wheat took place
between 4.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. for 10 consecutive days.
River Pollution
In London, sewage and its disposal, amounting to a daily dry
flow of approximately 450 million gallons from an area of 500
square miles serving a population of 7 millions, is under the control
of the Greater London Council and, after treatment at the
northern and southern outfalls at Beckton and Crossness respectively,
the resultant sewage effluent is discharged into the Thames.
It is then considered by various authorities to be a pollutant which,
on occasions, gives rise to complaints.
No complaints regarding pollution were made to this department
during the current year.
Storm Flooding
Heavy rain at the week-end of 14/15th September caused flooding
in many parts of the Borough. Flooding of dwellings which
commenced in the early afternoon of 14th September in the Abbey
Wood area later developed in the region of the River Quaggy,
Sidcup Road, Coldharbour, Eltham Road, Westhorne Avenue,
Meadowcourt Road, Edison Grove, Osborne Terrace, Elverson and
Brookmill Roads.
In all some 210 dwellings were flooded in varying extent from a
few inches to three feet above floor levels. In many others, only
gardens and yards were affected.
Residents affected in the Borough were assisted by the department
in the drying of carpets and other soft furnishings, pumping
out flood water from under floor spaces, drying by industrial
heaters dwelling structures and disinfecting and deodorising contaminated
homes and approaches and curtilages thereto. Although
temporary accommodation was offered as appropriate, householders
chose to remain in their homes or went to nearby relatives or
friends.