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By the end of 1967, 21 Smoke Control Orders covering 14,735 acres and affecting
55,802 premises were in operation. At the present rate of progress the borough
will be wholly smoke controlled by 1970 but economic circumstances threaten to
delay this programme.
Domestic chimneys make the major contribution to atmospheric pollution
except where industry is concentrated. The Clean Air Act is mainly concerned with
the emission of grit and smoke from chimneys. In steam-raising plants, smoke is
waste and with the high cost of fuels there is considerable financial incentive for
the large users of bituminous fuels to ensure their complete combustion. Little
trouble is experienced from these industrial plants but unfortunately the normal
domestic appliances are not capable of burning bituminous fuels smokelessly and
smokeless fuels have to be used.
There has been a ready acceptance of smoke control by the general public
and the number of objections or criticisms has remained remarkably few. Concern
has been expressed about the availability of solid smokeless fuels having in mind
both the rapid technological changes in gas production and the discovery of natural
gas sources. Although fewer gas cokes are available, other fuels are being introduced
and production of other carbonised fuels increased. The Minister of Housing
and Local Government will not confirm a Smoke Control Order unless he is satisfied
that supplies of smokeless fuels are adequate. Adequacy does not mean ample
supplies of all types of smokeless fuel but means sufficient supplies using suitable
alternatives. The customer may not always be able to obtain the fuel of his choice,
but a suitable alternative will be available. Every effort is made to encourage the
installation of appliances which are capable of burning any of the solid smokeless
fuels.
There appears to be some misunderstanding about the effect of a Smoke
Control Order and many people still refer to a Smokeless Zone. The effect of the
Order is to require the householders within the area to use " authorised " fuels.
These fuels are : anthracite, cokes, manufactured smokeless fuels, Welsh dry steam
coal, electricity, gas and oil. The Order refers only to the emission of smoke from
chimneys. This excludes bonfires, etc., but action may be taken under the provisions
of the Clean Air Act if the bonfire is causing nuisance.
Industrial Atmospheric Pollution
Although the borough contains several large industrial concentrations with
heavy industries, the amount of smoke from these areas is comparatively small.
The principal sources of concern are processes registered under the provisions of
the Alkali, etc., Works Regulation Act, 1906. The Minister of Housing and Local
Government brought into operation the Alkali, etc., Works Order, 1966, which
further extended the list of noxious and offensive gases listed in the Alkali, etc.,
Works Regulation Act, 1906. The Order consolidated the various Orders previously
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