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21
CLEAN AIR
The sixth smoke control area was declared at the end of the
year, the proposed date of operation being 1st November, 1964.
This area is the first in the eastern half of the borough, and it lies
principally to the north of a line along the middle of Priory Road,
High Street, Hornsey and Turnpike Lane.
No unusual difficulties were experienced in the implementation
of Hornsey's fifth order which came into force on 1st November, 1963.
There was a marked tendency for gas heaters to be preferred to
electric heaters, no doubt as a result of cuts in the electricity supply
during the bad winter of 1962/63.
In December the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
issued Circular 69/63 which dealt with the problems arising from
difficulties about smokeless fuel supplies. The Gas industry has
made certain technological changes in methods of producing gas, and
it is no longer possible to rely on supplies of gas coke to provide
the basic smokeless fuel in future smoke control areas.
Hard coke, which is not a by-product, is stated to be in
abundant supply, and the Ministry will now approve grants in full for
appliances capable of burning hard coke. These appliances are closed
stoves (known as room heaters) and under-floor draught open fires.
It will now be necessary to consult local representatives of the
fuel producers and distributors before making a Smoke Control Order.
If as a result of these consultations it is established that gas coke
will not be available for the proposed smoke control area, no grants
are payable for the installation of ordinary improved open fires, and
a grant is payable for replacing such fires.
Powers are to be given to the Minister and to local authorities
to withhold grants for any class of appliances if the use of them is
likely to result in undue strain on fuel resources. It is suggested
in the Circular that householders who choose electricity should be
encouraged to install thermal storage space heaters, because of the
difficulties which the electricity supply industry is at present
experiencing in meeting peak loads in very cold weather.
Additional assistance
Additional financial assistance is given to old age pensioners
and others who lack the means to pay the balance after seven-tenths
of the cost of conversions has been paid by the Council. 17 cases
were dealt with and the total sum granted (in addition to the statutory
grant) was £104.13s. 8d.