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have enough money to cover equipment for the efficient and effective chlorination and cleansing
of the pool, and also for other relevant expenses such as construction and drainage of surrounds to
the pool, footbaths, etc.
Some of the Council's indoor pools provide additional facilities for the public, e.g. Turkish
Baths, Slipper Baths and Showers.
LAUNDERETTES
A large number of these premises has been established over the last few years. Some include
equipment for dry-cleaning clothes in addition to washing and drying facilities. The majority of the
premises are coin operated, have no resident staff and are available for use during the whole of the
day and night. Many are situated on the ground floor of terraces of shops and have living
accommodation over, which is usually separately occupied. Complaints from established premises
concern noise from equipment and extraction fans, fumes and the general activity of customers,
e.g. the slamming of car doors by late night customers.
In one case, where statutory action regarding nuisance from effluvia from a dry-cleaning plant
was taken, the premises subsequently closed. In other cases negotiations with operators have
achieved the necessary improvement.
Wherever possible the selection of plant and its installation is fully discussed with operators and
contractors before the premises are opened and close liaison is maintained with the Town Planning
Section of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor's Department, which has in some cases been able to
include conditions in the Town Planning consent to avoid possible nuisance and to restrict the
hours of opening and operation.
DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
DISINFECTION
Three steam disinfecting stations were taken over in 1965 at Erith, Bexleyheath and Sidcup. All
were in need of considerable expenditure to maintain and all were occupying valuable space
urgently needed for other purposes. As there did not appear to be any foreseeable major need for
this service, it was decided to close the existing stations and make arrangements with Greenwich
London Borough Health Department to undertake any work involving steam disinfection. Fortunately
very little use has required to be made of this generous concession.
Disinfection of houses after cases of infectious disease is no longer practised. Outbreaks of
gastro-intestinal infection occurred in Russell Stoneham Maternity Hospital, Crayford (1969) and
the maternity block of Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup (1968 and 1969) and formaldehyde disinfection
of wards etc. was undertaken at the request of and in conjunction with the Hospital
Management Committees. Following disinfection the wards were re-opened and no further cases of
infection occurred.
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