London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Erith 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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25
SECTION E.—SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
AREA
I am indebted to the Borough Engineer and Surveyor for
the following information relating to refuse collection and
disposal.
E (1) Refuse Collection and Disposal
The method of storage is by means of sanitary dustbins,
and some 15,500 are emptied weekly. The dustbins are provided
and maintained by the owners of the properties concerned,
the Council securing this by a local act—the Erith Improvement
Act, 1920. Disposal is effected by barging under contract,
and these arrangements are still working very satisfactorily.
| £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per ton of collecting refuse | 18 | 6 | |
| Cost per ton of disposing refuse | 12 | 6 | |
| Net cost per 1,000 population per annum | 303 | 6 | 8 |
The following tables show:—
1. Details of the refuse collection vehicles and staff.
2. Details of the tonnage dealt with during the year.
| Vehicle | Capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 Dennis lorry | 12 cubic yards |
| 1 Fordson lorry | 10 „ „ |
| 1 S. & D. W. type Freighter | 12 „ „ |
| 5 S. & D. Freighters | 8 „ „ |
| 2 Scammell Lorries | 5 ,, ,, |
| 1 Austin 10 H.P. | 5 cwt. Utility van |
| They are operated by:— | |
| 1 Foreman | |
| 9 Drivers | |
| 10 Loaders | |
| 1 Salvage sorter |
Two new S. and D. Freighters (8 cubic yards) were purchased
in March, 1949, being replacements for two obsolete
vehicles, also 1 W. type S. and D. Freighter (12 cubic yards)
which was purchased to cope with additional collections from
new houses in the district.