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On the 8th February a Conference was held at the Town Hall at which were
present the Chairman of the Public Health Committee, the Town Clerk; the Medical
Officer of Health and the Public Relations and Publicity Officer of British
Railways The matters discussed were electrification the enclosing of the whole
depot, and the possibility of coaling firing and servicing locomotives outside
London In addition the possibility of using better types of coal and the
conversion to diesel oil were considered.
On the 16th February a letter was received from the Public Relations
Officer in which he answered as follows the questions that had been put to him.
(1) Can the London Midland Region say whether it is likely that
the main line from Euston will be electrified within the
next 5 10 15 or 20 years or more?
Answer At the present time it is not possible to answer this question.
(2) Can the number of engines serviced at the Camden Motive
Power Depot be reduced by having this work done at a
provincial depot such as Watford or Bletchley or even
further out?
Answer The answer in this case is in the negative.
(3) Will the London Midland Region consider extending the
covered accommodation at Camden Motive Power Depot modern
ising the whole structure throughout and providing smoke
purification apparatus?
Answer it is not possible at the present time for this to be considered
even if effective smoke purification plant could
be provided at the Motive Power Depot.
(4) Has the coaling plant at Camden Motive Power Depot been
enclosed as far as practicable?
Answer The answer to this is in the affirmative.
In view of this letter the Chief Regional Manager of the London Midland
Region of British Railways was invited to attend the Public Health Committee
In reply he stated that because it was a matter affecting the whole of British
Railways he considered that it would be preferable if a representative from the
British Transport Commission attended and this was accordingly arranged.
A special meeting of the Public Health Committee was convened on the 6th
April for this purpose and the following conclusions were recorded.
We have given very careful consideration to the views put
forward by the representative of the British Transport Commission
and in our opinion it became obvious during the meeting that the
only complete solution to the problem was the electrification of the
railway system No alternative method of really overcoming the nuisance
was put forward although it is true to say that certain promises were
made to mitigate the complaints In our view possible methods of
dealing with the trouble are:-
(a) Electrification.
(b) The entire provision of diesel engines for shunting and long
distance runs.
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