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FLOODING IN CAMPSBOURNE AREA
Two heavy storms occurred in 1956, one on the 9th July and the other
on the 6th August. Both caused flooding in parts of the Borough, and
this was severe in the Campsbourne Area where 56 basements were
flooded on each occasion. Forty-one of these basements were in houses
included in Stage III of the Campsbourne Clearance Area, on which a
Compulsory Purchase Order had been confirmed and from which
families were being rehoused; 15 of the basements were in premises not
within this Stage. Re-housing of the families concerned was treated as
urgent and by the end of the year only 11 basements were still occupied.
When the level of the water in the sewers had fallen sufficiently
pumping out of the basements was commenced by the Borough Engineer's
Staff. Disinfectants and soap were issued to all families affected and the
Disinfecting Station and the Baths and Wash-houses were opened to
provide hot water and drying facilities. Members of the W.V.S. provided
valuable assistance to supplement the work being done by the Council's
staff.
Of the 15 flooded basements outside Stage III one had previously
been closed by the Council. A report on the others was submitted to the
Health Committee and closing orders were made. Only three families
required rehousing as a result of this as in all other cases where the
basements were used alternative accommodation was available. It was
necessary in some cases to qualify the closing orders in order to provide
access to the water supply or water closet when these were situated
in the basement and there were no alternative facilities in the house.
Details of these closins orders will be found in the table on page 19.

BARBERS AND HAIRDRESSERS
The type of public health risk associated with a lack of hygiene in
hairdressing establishments generally relates to transmission of infections
of the skin and scalp. It has been generally accepted that such instruments
as shaving brushes, razors, combs, hairbrushes, etc. should be
disinfected as a routine. The employment of the same instrument, towel,
or brush upon successive clients does indeed introduce a risk which is
not lessened by chance abrasions or injuries to the skin caused by inattention,
lack of skill or faulty implements.
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