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electrification had already been carried out in the County of London and also particulars
as to schemes of electrification in the same area which were in hand or were
definitely to be undertaken in the near future. Inquiry was also made whether
the Minister had taken or was contemplating taking any action with a view to
encouraging the more speedy electrification of railways in London. In his reply
the Minister forwarded a list of electrification schemes actually carried out, and to
be carried out. As regards the inquiry whether action had been taken with a view
to encouraging the more speedy electrification of railways in London, the Minister
forwarded a copy of a question asked on the subject in the House of Commons on
30th June, 1925, and of his reply thereto, which was to the effect that the Government
were considering the whole question of electricity, and that it might be assumed
that any improvement in the supply and distribution of electricity would facilitate
its use as a motive power on railways, as well as in other directions.
The Minister of Transport was subsequently asked to furnish such figures as
were available showing the total mileage of railways in the Comity of London which
had actually been electrified or were in process of electrification as compared with the
total mileage upon which steam-driven trains were still being run, and an inquiry was
also made whether, so far as the Minister was aware, any scheme of electrification
was in contemplation on the Great Eastern Section of the London and North Eastern
Railway, particularly in the districts of Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Cambridge
Heath, and in the vicinity of Liverpool-street station, these being the districts to
which special attention had been drawn as regards the existence of smoke nuisance.
In his reply the Minister stated that the returns rendered to the Ministry did not
show the proportions of electrified and non-electrified lines within the County of
London, and added that he was not aware that the London and North Eastern
Railway Company contemplated putting forward at present any scheme for electrification
in the districts mentioned. Inquiry from the railway company in question
elicited the information that they had not in contemplation any scheme of electrification
so far as their lines in the districts specified were concerned.
While full sympathy was expressed with the object sought to be achieved,
namely, the prevention of smoke nuisance, and while the Council would view with
favour any further electrification of railways in London, it was felt that no useful
purpose would be served by making representations to the railway companies
concerned in the direction suggested. Arrangements were, however, made for
special observations to continue to be kept in order to detect cases of smoke nuisance
from railway locomotives.
CHAPTER IV.
MAIN DRAINAGE.
Drainage
area and
statistics.
The district drained by the Council's main drainage system has an area of nearly
149 square miles with an estimated population of 5,480,000, This includes an area
of nearly 32 square miles, with a population of 868,000 outside London.