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14
whilst the records of the Walworth Road site are in keeping
with the deposits recorded in other parts of London, the
deposits in the vicinity of Bankside are in excess of those of
nearly all the industrial centres in the country.
Careful investigations indicated that the main source of
pollution in the Bankside area was due to ash emitted from the
chimneys of the electricity station. The deposited matter in
this area can readily be seen as it accumulates in the gutters
and in the alleyways.
There are 18 chimneys at the station, 14 of which serve solid
fuel furnaces. Only two are fitted with grit arresters, and if all
the solid fuel furnace chimneys were so fitted it would considerably
reduce the emission of grit. The Council's Inspector
served an intimation notice under Section 150 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936.
Representations were made to the British Electricity
Authority, who stated that in view of the cost, the structural
alterations involved, the age of the plant, and the limited life of
the existing station, the expense of fitting grit arresters would
not be justified. They explained that on completion of the
new electricity station now in course of erection the existing
station would be dismantled. There is, however, no fixed date
for this, as it is dependent on many factors, and in any event it
would not take place for some years.
The B.E.A. stated they would try to obtain better, though
more expensive coal for the station, and to do all they reasonably
could to minimise the grit emission.
There have been interviews and correspondence with the
chief officials of the B.E.A., and the matter is still receiving
attention.
It has been interesting to observe the influence of rainfall on
deposits at Bankside and Walworth Road. Heavy rainfall
resulted almost consistently in heavier deposit readings.
(See graph page 15.)
During the year 19 complaints were received regarding smoke
emissions in the Borough, and 83 observations were made by
the Inspector.