London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wandsworth 1959

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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8
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AND CLEAN AIR
Since the Clean Air Act, 1956, came into operation, considerable
attention has been given by the Department to the problem of clean
air and implementing the Act, particularly those sections dealing
with Smoke Control areas. The work has been carried out in the
closest co-operation with the Town Clerk's Department and it is a
pleasure to acknowledge the help which the Town Clerk's staff have
given.
In the early stages, members of the Council's staff were employed
part-time out of office hours in order that experience could be
obtained of the work. Subsequently, however, two technical officers
were appointed to my staff to undertake work under the Clean Air
Act, 1956, and since the end of the year two more officers have been
appointed so that we now have four technical officers in the Health
Department engaged under the general direction of the Chief Public
Health Inspector, on this work.
The Council has, so far, made Smoke Control Orders as follows:—
No. 1 area—west of the district railway line to south east of West
Hill, Kingston Road and Roehampton Vale. In operation
from 1st September, 1959.
No. 2 area—that part of the Borough which extends to west of
Roehampton Lane, i.e. adjoining and to the north of
the first smoke control area. In operation from 1st
September, 1960.
In addition, application has been made to the Minister for preliminary
approval of the Council's proposals for Smoke Control
area No. 3, and this has now been received, comprising:—
That part of the Borough which extends to the east bounded by
King's Avenue, parts of Atkins Road and Weir Road, Trouville
Road and Elms Crescent.
At the time of writing, a preliminary survey is being undertaken
covering Smoke Control area No. 4 comprising the area of the
Borough adjoining No. 2 area, west of Putney Park Lane.
Thus, already, an extensive coverage of the Borough has been
converted into Smoke Control areas and these will be further
increased in the current year.
Work in connection with the preliminary inspections and surveys
has to be carried out meticulously since on the estimates provided by
the technical officers will be decided such questions as how much
grant the Council can approve and also an estimate of the amounts of
smokeless fuels which will be required in the area.
This work can be considerably forwarded (and correspondingly
impeded) by the attitude of the public and the individual householders
so that it is a pleasure to be able to state that so far the
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