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42
left much to be desired. Owing to the absence of prior information
as to their coming, and owing also to their short period of stay
control was a matter of difficulty.
(II) There are some defects of this estate which might have
been avoided by the developers. Most of these are concerned
with the health only indirectly as affecting the happiness or wellbeing
of the populace.
There is no shopping centre in the district. Shops are placed
at the intersections of main roads in aggregations about half a mile
or more apart.
While it is admitted that the estate houses were erected
primarily for the benefit of those previously unsuitably housed,
it is unfortunate that no consideration was paid to the future of
the town that was being erected, and that no facilities or encouragement
were given to others than the transferred tenants to reside
here.
A broader view might have been taken by the developers of
their responsibilities. Shops, etc., might have been built and
provision made for playgrounds within easy reach of all children.
One of the most striking features of the district to the newcomer
is the width of the pavements. Presumably this was determined
by consideration of such matters as the density of the erection
of the houses, the maximum size of garden which the average
occupant will attend to, and the optimum width of the road,
consideration being paid to the cost of upkeep. It would appear,
however, that with some alteration in planning, numerous small
playgrounds could have been constructed so that no child would
need to cross a main road to reach the ground, nor have to go
more than a few hundred yards. The open spaces provided are
too iar distant for most of the toddlers who therefore play in the
roads, sometimes the main roads. A palliative measure which
could be applied is the putting into operation of a practice
apparently successfully carried out in some places, of barring
some of the side roads to fast traffic and using these as playgrounds.
The objection of the local occupants to the disadvantages they
would be subjected to would possibly be tempered by consideration
of the fact that they were ensuring the safety of their own children.
Little allowance has been made for the growth of the family,
but the family increases in number and the increasing age of the
occupants leads to difficulties. Further difficulties arise when
the children reach marriageable age. The present position on this
estate is that sons of tenants are eligible for houses and so are
married daughters of tenants whose husbands either reside in, or
are employed in, the County of London. This practice will create