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30
AIR POLLUTION
(Smoke Abatement Officer-Mr. G. Stubbs)
The noticeable feature of the figures recorded by the Council's
instruments was the considerable decrease in the; amount of smoke. No
doubt this was principally due to the reduction in the consumption of
domestic coal.
The overall figures for deposited matter for the Borough show
little variation from the previous year, and the amount of sulphur
dioxide in the atmosphere had slightly increased. The graphs on the
following pages illustrate the results since the instruments were
installed in January 1950.
Representations were made to the Central Electricity Authority in
the early months of the year in regard to the heavy amounts of grit
deposited in the Bankside area. The Central Electricity Authority stated
they were compelled to make use of the old Bankside Power Station at
that time, but it was the intention to take the old station out of
service in March 1959 and that demolition would follow forthwith to
facilitate the completion of the new Power Station.
Several complaints were received of smoke emissions from the burning
of trade wastes in incinerators. On investigation it was generally
found that the incinerators needed renovation or were being overloaded.
Newly installed oil-fired furnaces in commercial buildings were the
subject of some complaints but adjustments to the installations soon
ended the smoke nuisance.
The Minister of Housing & Local Government provisionally approved
the Council's proposals for the Smoke Control Area No. 1, and a detailed
survey of the area was commenced. The area in question is mainly residential
and is bounded by Walworth P.oad, Trafalgar Street, Dawes Street,
Portland Street, Westmoreland Road, covering 36.5 acres. Preliminary
arrangements were made for a Clean Air Exhibition to be held at the
Newington Public Hall, Manor Place.
A meeting of coal merchants operating in Southwark was held in the
Town Hall under the Chairmanship of the Medical Officer of Health, and
was attended by representatives of seventeen local fuel merchants, the
Coal Utilization Council, The Society of Coal Merchants, the SouthEastern
Gas Board, the National Coal Board and the Ministry of Power.
Details were given of the proposed smoke control area and there was a
discussion on the availability and distribution of the various types of
smokeless fuels. It was stated that coke would be the only smokeless
fuel readily available during the winter months and that supplies of
premium fuels could not be assured.
The Council gave further consideration to the question of fuel
supplies and decided not to proceed with the proposed Smoke Control
Area until supplies of smokeless fuels other than coke are freely
available in the Borough.