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The percolation of water from the Channelsea river through the river bank at
Abbey Mills pumping station has necessitated repairs to the bank. The original
scheme, estimated to cost £15,000, has been modified and work of the approximate
value of £4,000 authorised. On 23rd November, 1922, the Council accepted the
tender amounting to £1,100 of Vigor and Company (Poplar), Limited, for painting
works at the station.
Abbey Mills
pumping
stating.
The engines and pumps at the Western pumping station were installed in 1875.
They are in need of overhaul and repair and the Council on 4th May, 1922, authorised
expenditure of £1,300 for the work which is being carried out by labour directly
employed by the Council.
Western]
pumping
station.
The total cost of the enlargement of North Woolwich pumping station and
of the construction of the new 24-inch rising main from the pumping station to the
northern outfall has amounted approximately to £27,000, including the cost of
machinery, and £45,000 respectively. In consequence of the use of the new main
it was possible to relieve the strain on the existing pipes and heavy expenditure on
repairs has been obviated.
North
Woolwich
pumping
station and
rising mains.
The experiments in connection with the disposal of screen refuse (i.e., solids
intercepted by screens to prevent the clogging of pumps), by burning in a special
furnace at North Woolwich pumping station have been concluded. They have
shown that the refuse can be so destroyed, but that the method is somewhat offensive,
and, as a continuous operation, might be open to objection.
The Council, on 22nd July, 1919, had before it a comprehensive scheme of works
to mitigate floodings in various parts of London on both sides of the Thames during
times of heavy rainfall. (See Annual Report for 1920, vol. III., p. 121.) Part
of this, a storm-relief sewer from Kelvin-road, Highbury, to the Thames at Shadwell,
was agreed to before the war, but had to be postponed. The work is the subject
of two contracts. Contract No. 1 for the section from Kelvin-road to Bethnalgreen-road
has been let to the Metropolitan Tunnel and Public Works Company,
Limited; contract No. 2, in respect of the remainder, has been let to Scott and
Middleton, Ltd. Work under contract No. 1, begun in May, 1921, involves the
construction of a brick sewer, about 2½ miles long, circular in section and 8 to 9 feet
in diameter. The sewer is being driven from three working shafts and at the end
of the year 1922 approximately two miles had been completed. Work under contract
No. 2 was begun in June, 1921. This section is designed as a cast-iron tunnel
lined with concrete. It is about 1½ miles long, 11 feet 4 inches in diameter, and is
being constructed from the Shadwell end, its outlet into the Thames being through
the river wall fronting the new King Edward Memorial Park at Shadwell. At the
end of 1922 about f mile had been completed.
During 1921 unemployment was rife, and the Council accelerated the work on
other portions of the 1919 scheme, particularly those which would provide work
suitable for unskilled or partly-skilled labour. The works selected were the improvement
of the river Graveney, the Wandle Valley sewer, the Charlton storm reliefsewer,
and flood relief works at Hammersmith. Unemployment continued during
1922 and for its relief further portions of the 1919 scheme were undertaken. These
comprise the enlargement of the Isle of Dogs and Abbey Mills pumping stations,
and the construction of the south-western storm relief sewer. H.M. Government,
through the Unemployment Grants Committee, agreed to make a grant towards the
cost. Details of all these schemes are given below.
Flood works.