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8
SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Sewerage and sewage disposal in the City of London are the responsibility of the City
Engineer who has supplied the following information:—
"The sewerage system in the City is comprised mainly of ovoid shaped brick sewers, the
average internal dimensions being 4 feet high x 2 feet 8 inches wide, this size being adopted
only to provide access for sewermen, as the normal dry weather flow depth of effluent is only
about 9 inches at an average velocity of 2 to 3 feet per second.
The Corporation sewers discharge into the Greater London Council intercepting sewers which
flow eastwards across the City at a much lower depth to their Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.
In my opinion, the system of sewerage in the City is adequate, with ample margin for diverting
flows from sewers during reconstruction and maintenance works."
NOISE CONTROL
Undoubtedly the public are making known their views on noise in a more specific manner.
Perhaps this is an instance of people being patient for a long time and then saying in no uncertain
terms "thus far and no further". They have had enough of this type of encroachment into their
lives.
During the year, 380 complaints of noise were received and this necessitated 892 visits by
the Public Health Inspectors. Many complaints related to noise occurring at night and during
weekends. As in previous years, a substantial proportion of the complaints were of noise coming
from building sites, demolition, civil engineering works, and office machinery, ventilation plants
and computer cooling systems.
It will be appreciated that the large daytime population of the City are often irritated or
annoyed by the volume of noise already experienced in the congested environs of the City, and
any additional clangour brings sharp reaction. It seems inevitable, apart from any action local
authorities may have to take, that much more attention will have to be paid to the sound-proofing
of offices and other buildings.
Sooner or later it may be necessary to establish, even by resort to legal processes, that
noise which is not considered a nuisance at midday can be a nuisance at midnight or at other
times when residents expect to have some period of quietness.
In some instances, particularly where statutory undertakers were involved and where the City
Corporation had no legal powers, amelioration of noise nuisance was brought about by informal
action by the Public Health Inspectors.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
The one remaining common lodging house within the City is situated at 116, Middlesex Street.
The premises are owned and managed by the Salvation Army. They are rather old, factory-type
premises, adapted to their present purpose, and consist of six floors and a basement providing a
canteen, and accommodation for four hundred men. A clothing store and laundry are also available.
During the year under review, a small reduction of the number of beds has been made, because
some accommodation on the first floor has been converted into open-plan units with room for six
beds in each enclosure.
The cleansing and disinfection of persons and clothing are carried out at the Corporation's
Cleansing Station at Milton Court. The bathroom has been substantially improved during the year
and with the adoption of improved cleaning measures, it is felt that better overall results will be
shown.
The Public Health Inspectors have carried out twenty-four inspections during the year and all
matters relating to environmental health in these premises were dealt with by consultation with
the authorities at the Salvation Army, whose willing co-operation with this Department is appreciated.
OFFICES SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
The year under review has been significant in showing a substantial increase in the number
of inspections carried out under this legislation. This increase is most marked in the field of
office inspections, the number being quadrupled over those of the previous year (2,209 in 1968 as
compared with 549 during the year 1967). This is a direct result of the recruitment of additional
staff. In all, the department carried out 3,141 general inspections, and a total of 8,095 visits of
various kinds were made to registered premises.