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21.
SMOKE CONTROL ORDERS
1st January 1959 was the operative date for the first Smoke Control
Order in Stoke Newington, the preliminary work for which was commenced
during 1957. In the first three months of the year, particularly
during the very cold weather, there were some difficulties with supply
and delivery of solid smokeless fuel. These were quickly resolved,
however, and since then the position has been satisfactory.
The Stoke Newington (No.2. ) Smoke Control Order came into operation
on 1st October 1959, and the operation of both these areas has been
most successful. There has been no deliberate breach of the Smoke
Control Orders, and the delivery of bituminous coal in these areas has
stopped. A most encouraging feature of the work has been the cooperation
of householders, and the frequent expressions of support for
the Council's policy on Clean Air.
At the start of the year work had already commenced on a third
area. On 26th June, 1959, the Minister of Housing and Local Government
confirmed the Stoke Newington (No.3) Smoke Control Order, the operative
date being 1st May, 1960o
Provisional plans for Stoke Newington (No.4) Smoke Control Order
were submitted in June 1959 and the Order was made by the Council on 29th
December, 1959. This Order, which will come into force on 1st October
1960, has now been confirmed by the Minister,,
In the light of experience gained in the initial Areas, a plan to
cover the Borough in a series of Smoke Control Orders was submitted to
the Council in June 1959. It was proposed to make a total of 10 Smoke
Control Orders, the last of which would come into operation on 1st
October, 1964. This plan was accepted by the Council and sent to the
Minister of Housing and Local Governrment as the official plan for the
borough.
At the time of writing, there are six Smoke Control Areas in various
stages, covering 518 acres. The total area of the borough is 863 acres.
The remaining areas will affect the more densely populated part of the
borough and progress will of necessity be slower, but there seems every
possibility that the Smoke Control programme will be completed ahead of
schedule.
During the course of the year 2,532 visits were made in carrying
out detailed surveys, and a further 767 visits were made to advise on
adaptation of fireplaces, to discuss problems arising from the use of
smokeless fuels, and to inspect work prior to payment of grant.
The accompanying map shows the situation of the first four Smoke
Control Areas in the borough and details of these areas are given in
the following table. The position of the No.5 Area is also shown.