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ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Atmospheric Pollution — Domestic
Towards the end of 1970 the Council, in order to meet the situation expected to arise
due to shortage of solid smokeless fuel, took the advice of the Ministry and obtained suspension
until the 31st March 1971 of various Smoke Control Orders covering approximately 40 per
cent of premises in the Borough covered by such Orders. In fact the situation which developed,
coupled with a mild winter, produced no noticeable effects.
The operative date of an Order due to come into operation late in 1970 was likewise
deferred and subsequently came into operation on the 1st April 1971.
A further Smoke Control Order, the eleventh made either by this Council or its predecessors,
was made and confirmed during the year and work to bring the Order into operation during
1972 was well in hand towards the latter part of the year.
The Order covers approximately 7,500 premises in the Welling and Falconwood district.
The work of processing the numerous applications for grants towards the cost of carrying
out approved and necessary work of adapting fireplaces to comply with Smoke Control Orders
and the final approval of works and accounts, proceeds in a well ordered fashion, in close
co-operation with the various fuel suppliers and appliance fixers and the other Departments
of the Council.
The evidence of the success of the Smoke Control Programme in London and locally is
clearly 'visible'
Atmospheric Pollution — Industrial
Industrial processes likely to give rise to atmospheric pollution are mainly situated in the
northern part of the Borough in the Belvedere, Erith, Slade Green and Crayford areas.
Heavy engineering activities have declined in recent years but various chemical, road surfacing
material and other processes flourish in premises of a wide variety of sizes and when these
contribute to atmospheric pollution generally or are the cause of annoyance to residents or
nearby industry, they have increased rather than decreased the amount of time which has to be
given to their control.
The welcome increase in public awareness of pollution and atmospheric pollution in
particular, makes its contribution to keeping this important aspect of the Public Health Inspector's
work in the forefront for whilst the existence of dark smoke is now rare, there are many problems
of odour, dust and grit that constantly need attention.
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