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At 31st December 1969, one order, namely London Borough of Bexley (No.10) covering 1041
acres in the Blackfen and Lamorbey areas and containing some 6934 premises has been confirmed
and is due to be brought into operation with effect from 1st December 1970.
The map at the front of the report shows the smoke control areas in operation in the Borough
together with the area approved but not yet in operation.
Although considerable progress has been made in reducing atmospheric pollution in the Borough
since 1965, it is most important to complete the programme for the whole of the Borough in
accordance with the Council's policy as quickly as possible. The long-term economic costs and the
adverse social effects which would follow any deferment of the programme would be a very high
price to pay for any short term financial advantage. Recently there has been some shortage of solid
smokeless fuels and, although the Borough has not been badly affected, consumers have in many
cases had to order well in advance of requirements and/or take alternative fuels. The shortage has
principally been due to the fact that the falling off of production of the gas cokes and allied fuels,
owing to technological changes in the gas industry, has not been met by adequate replacement by
premium and other fuels.
Whilst the shortage and inconvenience is regretted, it is hoped that the balance of supply and
demand will shortly be re-established. Appendix A reproduces a special report made to the Health
Committee in 1965 and deals in greater detail with the problem of atmospheric pollution.
THAMESMEAD
A new development with an ultimate population of 50-60,000 is being built on the low ground
bordering the River Thames to the north of the Borough. About one third of the accommodation
will be in Bexley, the rest in Greenwich. The earlier stages of the development are in Bexley.
As there is an escarpment to the south of the Bexley development, it was essential in the
interest of existing residents to ensure that no avoidable atmospheric pollution problem was
allowed to develop. The first action taken was to declare the area of proposed development to be a
Smoke Control Area before any work had commenced on the site. The next step was to ensure
that the absolute minimum of pollution was produced from the new properties. Approximately
4,000 homes envisaged in Stages I, II and III, each with its own chimneys even if burning smokeless
fuels could produce a vast amount of atmospheric pollution. To avoid this possibility the
Greater London Council and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government were urged to instal
district heating to all the properties in the new development and it is gratifying to be able to report
that this was ultimately agreed to. Under this scheme a single efficiently operating boiler house
will supply hot water for domestic use and space heating to all the homes etc. thereby reducing
atmospheric pollution to the absolute minimum.
CHIMNEY HEIGHTS
The height of certain categories of new industrial chimneys has to be approved by the Council
before they are erected. This is a technical requirement concerned with the prevention of
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