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-33-
AIR POLLUTION
(Smoke Abatement Officer - Mr. G. Stubbs)
It is pleasing to record that the figures for smoke and sulphur dioxide,
as recorded on the daily volumetric apparatus, show that the improvement of
the previous year has been maintained. There was also an overall decrease in
the amount of deposited matter in the Borough.
The Smoke Control Order No. 1 made by Council on 11th January 1961 was confirmed
by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on the 27th April to
come into operation on 1st November 1961, The area is mainly residential and
is bounded by Walworth Road, Trafalgar Street, Dawes Street, Portland Street
and Westmoreland Road, and covers 38 acres.
The results of the survey showed that since the previous inspection of
the area in 1957 there had been some major changes; a number of properties had
been demolished, new buildings erected, and many families had ceased to burn
solid fuel and were using electricity, gas or oil for heating. These factors
reduced the number of fire-grates to be replaced, with a consequent reduction
in the amount of estimated expenditure.
Included in the area are 1,302 separate dwellings, 54 shops and
public houses, one school, one clinic, one Church and Hall, and 12 factories.
The figures of the survey indicated that the appliances in 640 dwellings
needed replacement or adaptations with gas ignition, at an estimated total cost
of £8,250. Seven-tenths of this amount would be paid by the Council (the Exchequer
repaying four-tenths) and the remaining three-tenths would be paid by
the owner or occupier. This would mean the Borough Council being responsible
for £2,475, the Exchequer £3,300 and the owners or occupiers £2,475. No adaptations
of appliances in bedrooms were considered except in special circumstances
It was calculated that 1,100 additional tons of smokeless fuel would be required
for the area.
Following the confirmation of the Order the owners of the properties in
the area were interviewed and they promised full co-operation. Discussions also
took place with re presentatives of the London Electricity Board, South
East Gas Board, Coal Utilisation Council, Solid Smokeless Fuels Federation and
local fuel merchants. Both the Electricity and Gas Boards offered a scheme
whereby the occupier or owner can pay than three-tenths of the approved cost
of an adaptation and allow the Board to collect the grant direct from the
Council. Such an arrangement would save the occupier or owner paying out the
full amount and then waiting for the grant.
Special displays of appliances suitable for conversion jobs were arranged
at the Electricity and Gas show-rooms in Walworth Road. The mobile exhibition
of the Solid smokeless Fuels Federation toured the "area at different times of
the year so that householders could see practical demonstrations and be given
advice on how to burn the fuels satisfactorily and economically. The Coal Utilisation
Council printed a supply of pamphlets which were helpful to users of
solid fuel.