View report page

Debris Clearance - War Dimaged Sites.
The debris from the many war-damaged premises in the
Borough was largely removed during and since the war partly
by the War Damage Scheme of the London County Council and
partly by the Borough Council in conjunction with the
Ministry of Health and the War Damage Commission.
Most sites were left in a clean condition and bombed
premises boarded up.
I regret to have to report that in Stepney as in other
parts of London unscrupulous members of the public have
developed the habit of dumping household and trade refuse
on the sites and many hoardings and protective fences have
been torn down. The gradual accumulation of refuse has
caused a major annoyance to law-abiding citizens in the
areas concerned.
The removal of such refuse cannot be undertaken by
local authorities' Public Cleansing Departments who are
limited by existing legislation to clearing roads and
pavements.
Section 93 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.,
gives limited powers to the Public Health Department; but
this peace-time legislation is inadequate to deal with a
problem arising out of the war.
Although the Council is enforcing Section 93 as far as
practicable a number of sites recently cleared are again
being used as dumping grounds.
Sites Rubbish cub.yds Hardcore cub.yds
Under Section 93 the Public Health
Department have cleared 21 1156 249
In addition the War Debris Clearance Scheme operated by the
Borough Council War Damage Department cleared:-
Sites: 26 1757 2397
Under Section 33 of the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1925, efforts are being made by the Works
Department of the Borough Council to fence in cleared sites
as far as possible.
Unfortunately most of the legislation in connection
with the preblem of refuse accumulations is clumsy and difficult
of application.
-28-