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existing sewer in the front of the Literary Institution, and running
north-westward. They were constructed in exact accordance with
the original proposal. This contract was also let by tender to Mr.
Murray, for £305 ; the actual cost with extras was £334 6s. lOd.
The third and most important works constructed by the Board
are the sewers from Catford Hill along Stanstead Lane to Dartmouth
Park, and thence to Sydenham Park. And inasmuch as these
sewers pass through a comparatively uninhabited portion of the
district, some explanation may be desirable of the inducements to
the Board to carry out so extensive a work in such a locality. The
soil of the western portion of the district, from Catford Bridge to the
boundary, consists (see Medical Officer's First Report) of London
clay, wholly impervious to fluid substances. Thus in this locality no
soakage into the soil takes place as in other portions of the district,
and the whole sewage of Sydenham and Forest Hill overflowed
from the numberless cesspools in those places, and found its way
through the ditches near and adjoining Stanstead Lane, and (except
such portion as was evaporated in its course) thence to the river
Ravensbourne, creating the most intolerable and pestilential stench
from Forest Hill to Catford Bridge, and polluting to a frightful
extent the chief source of supply of the Kent Water Works, from
which upwards of 9600 houses were supplied with water in 1849,
and that number is now probably very materially increased. By
this work the sewage from about 700 houses has been intercepted
from the river, and although the sewerage system for Sydenham
and Forest Hill is still very far from complete, the first grand step
to its perfect drainage has been thus taken.
These works were let by tender to Mr. Dethick for £5247. As
actually constructed they are as follows. The total cost, including
extra work, will be £5523 2s. 8d.
locality.
length
in feet.
size.
materials.
From the junction with the Main Sewer in Catford
Hill, at a point at the end of Stanstead Lane,
to the west side of Dartmouth Park, at a point at
the end of Park Road, including a bell mouth for a
sewer in such road
From the end of such sewer along Brockley
Lane, under the Railway near the Forest Hill
Station, and along the footpath on the west side of
the line to Sydenham Park
In Sydenham Park
Branch from the Stanstead Lane Sewer up
Brockley Lane, west side
At the back of Wells Road, in continuation of a
sewer there from Jews' Walk
5618
3237
28
300
140
3ft 9 by 2ft 6
3ft 4by 2ft 3
2ft by 2ft
12 inch
2ft by 2ft
One brick
Ditto
Half-brick
Pipe
Half-brick
In addition to the above, the Board have constructed a pipe sewer