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59
of the school, the Borough Council would execute the necessary
paving works free of cost. The matter is now under the consideration
of the County Council.
West Hill
Widening.
95. When the Borough Council decided to widen West Hill,
Wandsworth, the estimated cost of the property
and paving works, including the cost of widening
the road in front of the police station, was £25,000. The London
County Council, however, decided that the widening should commence
on the western side of the police station, and estimated the
cost at £23,800, of which such Council promised to contribute
two-thirds, not exceeding £15,866. The total cost of this part of
the improvement was £28,457 5s. 3d. The County Council's estimate
of the cost was somewhat low, and the excess of the actual
over the estimated cost of the improvement was caused chiefly by
(a) the large sum awarded by the jury to the sub-lessee and tenant
of No. i, West Hill (coffee shop); (6) the cost of acquiring the
leasehold interest in Priorsdean House (wheelwright's premises);
(c) the amount of the vendor's solicitors' costs and surveyors'
fees payable by the Council; and (d) the piece of surplus land
between the Public Library and the Convent not yet having been
disposed of. This surplus land (part of the sites of Nos. 30 and
32, West Hill) was offered for sale by public auction on two occasions,
but was not sold. The approved plan showed a widening at
No. 3, West Hill, but, owing to the excessive claims and to the
very small strip of property required, the improvement line was
re-arranged, additional land being obtained on the opposite side
of the road so as to secure the full width of 60 feet without interfering
with No. 3.
96. The London County Council was informed of the reasons
for the excess of the actual cost over the estimated cost of the
improvement, and was asked to increase the amount of its
promised contribution. This application is now awaiting the
-decision of the County Council.
97. The total cost of widening West Hill at the police station,
in accordance with the modified scheme approved by the Council,
was 3s. 3d., of which two-thirds (£49 8s. iid.) was contributed
by the County Council. The total estimated cost of the
improvement was £95. The saving upon the estimate was due to
the work of setting back the forecourt fences, etc., costing less
than was anticipated.