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23
The third group are situated adjacent to the public highway
in shopping centres and the like. They are:—
Westwood Lane, Blackfen.
St. Johns Road, Sidcup.
Queens Head P.H., Chislehurst.
Adj. Tigers Head P.H., Chislehurst.
Cotmandene Crescent, St. Paul's Cray.
Dorset Road, Mottingham.
The Department is responsible for repairs and maintenance
of all these premises. The staff of cleaners attend to the ladies'
section of conveniences in Parks and to both sections of those contained
in the third group.
In three of these, attendants are stationed for varying periods
of the day, but in all other instances, cleansing is undertaken by
itinerant employees. The total staff working at public conveniences
now amount to 15 including part-time personnel and reliefs. They
are helped as necessary by the Chief Disinfector and his assistant.
In August the old convenience in the Car Park at St. John's
Road, Sidcup, was demolished, and the new building, a few yards
away was made available. This structure is fully equipped and
well appointed. It is constructed of materials easy to keep in a
clean and hygienic condition, and there is reason to believe that
it is appreciated by the public.
As at Cotmandene Crescent and Westwood Lane, hot water
washing facilities are provided. These are extensively used and
are particularly important to food roundsmen and to persons who
might be intending to partake of a meal. Paper towels are provided
at each of these three buildings free of charge and linen
towels are available at a small charge. The latter are not greatly
in demand, only 191 being supplied during the year. Paper towels
on the other hand, were issued to the extent of 61,500, most of
them at St. John's Road during the five months in which it was
open.
It is certain that the conveniences provided are valued by the
majority of the public. Nevertheless, a small minority continue
to cause malicious damage to the buildings and their equipment.
Almost all of this is of a minor nature and, whilst not interrupting
the use of the convenience, is a source of considerable trouble to
the Department. Ninety instances of damage were reported during
the year necessitating an expenditure of £219 for re-instatement.
In this respect the Mottingham area suffers worst, there being
15 instances of damage at the convenience at Dorset Road, and,
a further 13 at the Recreation Ground, Court Farm Road.