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personnel. At the same time, impacted sewerage in sewers
was released, thus effecting a gradual clearance. On 20th
February, it was possible to negotiate the made up roads on
the caravan encampment when it was found that a considerable
number of vans and structures had been completely demolished
by a fast rising tide, and that future use for habitation was
impossible. By the end of February a good proportion of
saturated dwellings had been treated by mechancial drying
and aeration, and it was possible to make a house-to-house
inspection over the whole area, when chloride of lime and other
appropriate disinfectants were applied to all sub-floor areas
and to the interior of drains and public sewers. In the meantime,
first aid repairs were carried out at the dwellings, this
coinciding with the excavation and cropping of some miles of
ditches by the Kent River Board. During the existence of
the 6 rest centres, each was visited daily by the Medical Officer
of Health and the Sanitary Inspectors and aerial disinfection
carried out. A daily refuse collection service was also laid
on which included the disposal of contents of improvised pail
closets. During the summer, very close attention to detail was
paid to this former flooded area. No outstanding nuisances
were located and all the houses have been re-inhabited.
D (10) River Thames—Effluvia
From time to time, throughout the year, complaints have
been received regarding the unpleasant odour emanating from
the River Thames and even in the absence of high temperatures
it was noted that the objectionable odours persisted especially
after fog dispersal. Locally, it is considered extremely
unfortunate that the menace cannot be combatted by a sanitary
effort, for to attain a wholly desirable result, a change of
procedure is indicated at the two outfall works vested in the
L.C.C. Under the existing circumstances, the enamelled
surfaces of household baths, and domestic and other brassware
rapidly becomes discoloured. Paintwork likewise, substantially
deteriorates.
In a recently published report, it was stated that, with a
view to the bringing of sludge from the sewerage works at
Crossness and Barking Creek to the North Sea, a new twin
screw sludge vessel of 1,560 tons capacity with a speed of 11
knots is being constructed by Lobnitz for the L.C.C.
At the Local Enquiry on 17-18th December 1953 in
connection with the proposed new L.E.B. generating station
at Belvedere, evidence was duly given on behalf of the Erith