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bulk refuse transfer stations at which facilities are also provided for the public to
dispose of unwanted items. Old vehicles can be left free of charge at Barrowell Green
Depot, Carterhatch Lane Depot or Park Road Depot for disposal.
The Public Cleansing Committee agreed to provide a new centralised waste
paper baling depot at Montagu Road. Apart from the salvage from Enfield it will
also be handling paper from the London Boroughs of Haringey and Waltham Forest
and will be the largest municipal plant of this type in the United Kingdom.
1 am grateful to the Borough Engineer and Surveyor for much of the information
contained in this report.
CLEAN AIR
Since the passing of the Clean Air Act, 1956, the public have become increasingly
aware of the dangers of air pollution. The relationship between pollution and lung
disease is generally realised, and the damage to buildings, materials, agriculture and
horticulture has been extensively publicised.
The Clean Air Act, 1956, is described as an Act to make provision for abating
the pollution of air. Its scope has been extended by the Clean Air Act, 1968, and
there is now some control over fumes in addition to smoke and grit. Changes have
also been made in powers to deal with dark smoke, grit and dust, chimney heights
and Smoke Control Orders.
Smoke Control Areas
Section 11 of the 1956 Act gives local authorities power to establish smoke
control areas in which, subject to certain conditions, it is an offence to emit smoke
from any chimney.
The greater part of the borough is now covered by Smoke Control Orders, but
the completion of the programme has been affected by various factors including the
economic situation. During 1969 the No. 16 Smoke Control Order came into operation.
This Order includes 4,758 premises, and covers 473 acres. Also, during the year,
the No. 17 Order was confirmed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government,
and the adaptation of fireplaces in this area was commenced. The Order (which
includes 7,579 premises and covers 1,008 acres) will come into force in 1970. In
pursuance of the Council's programme a further Order was made and submitted
to the Minister, but it was later found necessary to delay this Order.
The completion of smoke control programmes is of primary importance in
reducing smoke from domestic sources, and under the 1968 Act the Minister may
now direct a local authority to make Smoke Control Orders. The apparent inconsistency
which permitted the sale of coal in a smoke control area was a matter of
frequent comment and the new Act prohibits the sale, purchase or delivery of coal
and similar smoky fuels in smoke control areas.
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