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gauges and, indeed, from other apparatus used in the district, form
part of the survey carried out under the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research. The results are co-ordinated by the
Thames-side Joint Committee for the Abatement of Atmospheric
Pollution, which is constituted from those authorities principally
affected by the deposit of cement flue dust. The Council's representatives
on the Committee are Mr. F. Ambrose and Mr. A. V.
Hatley. They have consistently pressed for vigorous action to
abate the "cement dust nuisance" and the Committee is considering
further the possibility of approaches being made to the Government
at Ministerial level.
According to the Deposit Gauges the total solids were consistently
greater at Lamorbey than at Riverside Road. The highest
readings were in December with 23.27 tons per square mile at the
former, and in November with 16.85 tons at the latter. The
minima were 8.18 tons at Riverside Road and 8.61 tons at Lamorbey,
both in July.
The average figure for all months at Riverside Road was
12.891 tons (14.583 in 1960) and at Lamorbey 12.367 tons (13.135
in 1960).
This is a distinct improvement on the year, but regard should
be paid to the effect of weather, particularly wind direction. It
would be necessary to take figures over a period of several years to
be certain that any apparent improvement was being maintained.
The Council was also represented on the Standing Conference
of Co-operating Bodies in the Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution
by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee and
on the London and Home Counties Clean Air Advisory Council by
the Chairman and the Chief Public Health Inspector.
Smoke Control Areas.
The Chislehurst and Sidcup area is considered to be a "black
area" under the Clean Air Act, and a start has been made in
creating "Smoke Control Areas" which eventually will cover the
whole district. The preliminary survey of the Mottingham South
area was carried out and particulars submitted to the Ministry.
At this stage, the Government decided to amend the procedure for
establishing these areas and the necessity of obtaining preliminary
sanction was abandoned.
The carrying out of the detailed survey, which entails visiting
each one of the 2,412 properties, interviewing the occupants, examining
the existing appliances, and deciding what replacements are
necesssary, is in progress. This work, which must be accomolished
in addition to their many other duties, is placing a considerable
burden on the Insnectors. A certain amount of visiting on Saturday
mornings and during evenings has been found necessary.