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8
Annual Report 1956
SECTION A:—STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA
A (1) Physical Situation and Amenities
Erith is situated in the north-west corner of Kent, and
is 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 the Urban
District of Crayford. The shopping facilities are advantageously
situated having regard to the disposition of the six
wards in the Borough, and there is a copious supply of pure
water which is provided and maintained by the Metropolitan
Water Board. The chief industries are light engineering,
edible oil refining, manufacture of chemicals, coal shipping
and lighterage, and the production of building materials e g
stoneware drain pipes and asbestos components. Manufacture
of television and radio equipment, and toys, are also
well established industries.
Industrial expansion has continued throughout the year,
and the site of the new Belvedere Power Station is being
fully developed. At the eastern end of the river, the construction
of the new jetty at the coal discharging wharf proceeds,
and the replacement of the existing coal screening plant is
under review.
During the year, a new public convenience for men and
women was erected at Colyers Lane, the commissioning being
a joint project of the Erith Borough Council and that
of the Urban District of Crayford.
The erection of a biscuit warehouse of some 20.000 sq.
feet floor area on Belvedere Marshes was completed in February.
The ancillary depot garages a fleet of 30 delivery vans
by which the whole of the London area is served.
The proposed new Retired Seamen's Home of the Roy3'
Alfred Merchant Seamens Society is at blue print stage
Accommodation will provide for 80 retired merchant seamen
who at present occupy an old house. As the four storey blocK