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20
SMOKE CONTROL ORDERS
During 1963 the final Smoke Control Orders in our programme came into
operation, and the whole of the borough is now 'smoke controlled'. The
programme was completed considerably ahead of schedule, and Stoke Newington
was in fact the second authority in the country to achieve complete coverage
by Smoke Control Orders.
In the 10 Smoke Control Areas there are approximately 14,700 dwellings
and over 1,000 other premises. In the course of preparing the Smoke Control
Orders, and bringing them into operation, over 17,000 visits have been
made by staff of the department. The original total estimated cost of
adaptation of fireplaces was approximately £130,000. Experience has shown
that in the earlier areas particularly the cost was less than anticipated.
While final costs are not yet available for the full programme, it is probable
that the total expenditure for all adaptations in the borough will not
exceed £70,000.
The whole-hearted co-operation of officers at the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government, Gas and Electricity Boards, local fuel merchants and
others has been particularly welcome during the years that the department
has been engaged in this work. Because of this, representatives from these
bodies were invited to the Mayor's Gallery on 1st October, 1963, the operative
date for the last Smoke Control Orders. There they were welcomed by
His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Mrs. Gladys M. Shanagher, J.P. and
Alderman John W. Cox, Chairman of the Public Health Committee, and thanks
were expressed to them on behalf of the Council.
The most encouraging feature, however, has been the response of the
householders in the borough. There has been wide support for the Council's
policy, no deliberate obstruction to the programme, and a readiness in
adapting fireplaces or changing over to smokeless fuels. The pattern has
varied in different parts of the borough, but there has in general been a
marked trend away from solid fuel.
APPROVAL OF NEW FURNACES
Under Section 3 of the Clean Air Act, 1956, notice must be given of
the installation of new furnaces of a capacity greater than 55,000 B.T.U's
per hour. During the course of the year notice has been given of six
such installations, details of which are as follows :—
(a) Installation of three gas-fired boilers each rated at 250,000
B.T.U's per hour.
(b) Installation of two oil-fired boilers each rated at 750,000 B.T.U's
per hour.
(c) Installation of oil-fired boiler rated at 600,000 B.T.U's per
hour.
(d) Installation of oil-fired boiler rated at 500,000 B.T.U's per
hour.
(e) Installation of two oil-fired furnaces each rated at 640,000
B.T.U's per hour.
(f) Installation of electric oven rated at approximately
70,000 B.T.U's per hour.