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Regulations, 1925/32; details of improvements effected to dwelling houses as a result
of informal and statutory action; and information regarding the institution of legal
proceedings and the administration of the Rent Act, 1957 and Clean Air Act, 1956.
AIR POLLUTION-SMOKE CONTROL AREAS
Meetings of the Joint Conference of Neighbouring Authorities, first convened by
Leyton, in 1956, for the purpose of discussing matters of common interest in regard to
air pollution and the establishment of Smoke Control Areas, and to give consideration
to the desirability of joint action, have now been held at all the constituent authorities
- Walthamstow, Wansteadm & Woodford, Chingford, Ilford, Barking, East Ham, West Ham,
and Hackney. It has become an established forum for the exchange of information, and
has provided valuable opportunity for delegates to discuss problems and progress and
to raise questions about quality, availability and distribution of smokeless fuels from
representatives of the Coal Board, Gas Board and Fuel Distributors.
Leyton were again hosts for the twelfth session of the Conference held in April
of this year, when delegates indicated by an overwhelming majority their desire for its
continuance. Another meeting was held later in the year at the Borough of Wanstead &
Woodford. Perhaps it may be regarded as more than a coincidence that of the wide variety
of matters discussed and on which the Joint Conference made recommendations and
representations to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, many have since
appeared in Ministerial circulars on the administration of the Act, and have subsequently
been accepted as desirable additions and amendments in the procedure for the establishment
of Smoke Control Areas.
Ministerial approval of two more Smoke Control Areas was given during 1963, with
the result that the department was extremely active in the service of notices, inspection
of properties, and the general administration of the fireplace Grant scheme.
The approval of Smoke Control Area No.3 in February and Area No. 4 in October, both
to become operative on the 1st October, 1964, has added some 450 acres, containing
4,000 houses and 300 industrial and commercial premises to the part of the Borough
which is already smokeless; this means that by the endof 1964 approximately one quarter
of the Borough - 900-odd acres, 7,000 houses and 400 industrial premises, will be under
smoke control.
Area No.3 is the largest area to be approved in Leyton and is of particular
importance as it contains most of the heavier industries in the Borough and many large
boiler and furnace installations will be affected by the passing of the Smoke Control
Order. These include a number cf wood-burning installations as well as coal and oilfired
plant and every effort has been made to ensure that factory managements are fully
aware both of the general implications of the Order and the adaptations or replacements
which are necessary to their plant before the operative date.
The success of a Smoke Control Order depends to a large extent upon the co-operation
of all concerned, particularly of those people who live or work in the area, and to
this end considerable time and effort has been spent in health education within the
area. Exhibitions dealing with all aspects of Smoke Control, combined with an Advice
Bureau, were staged at the Sybourn County Primary School and the Lea Bridge Branch
Library for periods of four weeks; whilst the Mobile Exhibition Van from the Solid
Smokeless Fuels Federation also visited the area on two occasions, each of one week's
duration. In addition, meetings of the Lea Bridge Tenants' Association and the Lea
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