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7
SECTION A STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA.
Annual Report 1949
A (1) Physical Situation and Amenities.
Erith is situated in the north west corner of Kent, and
bounded on the north-east by the River Thames, to which it
has a frontage of about 4 miles ; on the west by the Metropolitan
Borough of Woolwich and the Borough of Bexley ;
and on the south by the Borough of Bexley and Urban District
of Crayford. The residential parts of the Borough consist
of areas in Abbey Wood, Belvedere, Northumberland Heath
and the southern portion of the town, all of which are well
wooded and excellently situated. The main arterial road
connects the town with London, 10 miles distant, good rail
transport facilities being provided by British Railways.
Chief industries are light and heavy engineering, edible oil
refining, chemical works, coal shipping and lighterage and
production of building materials, e.g. stoneware, plastic
boards, asbestos, etc.

Abnormally high tides in March resulted in ingress of
river water to two areas adjacent to the river front, i.e. West
Street and the north end of Norman Road. In neither case
was flooding serious, no dwellings or other premises being
materially affected.