View report page

36
D (7) Shops Act, 1950
The following improvements were effected with regard
to health and comfort provisions:—
Shops cleansed 7
New floors 2
New W.C.’s 5
Washing facilities 3
17
D (8) Sanitary Accommodation at Offices
Two offices were found to be without the requisite closet
accommodation in consequence of which Section 46 Public
Health Act 1936 was implemented when 4 additional conveniences,
together with adequate washing facilities were
provided.
D (9) Flooding of Belvedere and Abbey Wood
The unexpected high tide flooding during the night of
January 31st, resulted in an area equivalent to one third of the
acreage of the Borough being submerged to depths varying
from 3 to 6 feet. The initial survey which immediately
followed the evacuation of families to rest centres showed that
some 300 dwellings and the caravan encampment, were inundated,
and that several factories, business premises, and small
holdings were similarly affected, and it was at once apparent
that the whole resources of the sanitary services would be fully
taxed in dealing with such an unexpected and unprecedented
combination of adverse circumstances. It was therefore
imperative that a highly effective system of sanitary organisation
should be instituted and maintained throughout the
emergency in order to cope with the question of saturated
dwellings, ineffective drainage, spoilage of food, and the
possibilities of contamination of the water supply. Having
regard to the latter, it was arranged for the Metropolitan
Water Board to take daily water samples in the submerged
area, whilst the sanitary inspectors obtained a number of
check samples as an added precaution. From the submerged
small holdings, some 150 asphyxiated pigs were removed and
disposed of whilst the more fortunate live animals were
removed to suitable sites on dry land.
On 13th February, flood level was visibly receding, this
enabling the operation of mechanical drying plant by R.A.F.