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49
Council has combined with other Authorities to form the Thamesside
Joint Committee for the Abatement of Atmospheric Pollution.
This Committee, on which the Council is represented by the
Chairman of the Public Health Committee (Mr. F. Ambrose) and
Mr. C. J. Christopher, has been very concerned by a sudden temporary
increase in the deposit of cement flue dust. It was later
informed that the cause was probably the manufacturers use of
unsuitable clay which they undertook to replace with Essex clay.
The Joint Committee also sought Counsel's opinion as to the possibility
of instituting action for nuisance against any offending cement
manufacturer.
Pollution from Domestic Chimneys
The greater part of the pollution suffered in this District results
from the burning of coal in domestic fireplaces. The solution here
is for householders to change entirely to some form of smokeless
fuel and this is the principal end to which the Clean Air Act is
directed.
During the year, the Council agreed on a programme designed
to establish Smoke Control Areas to cover the entire Urban District
by 1976:—
Mottingham South 1964 Sidcup East 1970-71
Mottingham North 1964 Chislehurst 1972-73
Sidcup North 1965-66 St. Paul's Cray N. 1974
Lamorbey South 1966 St. Paul's Cray S. 1975
Lamorbey North 1967-68 North Cray 1976
Lamorbey East 1968-69-70 St. Paul's Cray E 1976
It was hoped that, in the light of future events, the four last
named areas might be dealt with concurrently with other areas.
The programme will also be subject to alteration effected by London
Government re-organisation. A further complication arose
towards the end of the year when the Minister of Housing and Local
Government advised Authorities that "soft" coke for use on the
modern open fire would become less readily available. This would
have three effects:—
(a) The possibility that modern open fires of which great numbers
have been installed, especially since 1956, would have to be
replaced;
(b) The establishment of future Smoke Control Areas would
be likely to be more expensive;
(c) The trend towards the use of "piped" fuels—electricity,
oil and gas, especially the latter, would be accelerated.
During the year the Council's first Smoke Control Area consisting
of Mottingham South Ward, together with Oakdene Avenue,
Chislehurst, was submitted to the Minister and confirmed by him