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61
Sewer Emanations. As a result of a serious explosion
which took place in Holborn in December, 1928, the question
of the ventilation of the London County Council's main
sewers and manholes received the careful consideration of the
Main Drainage Committee of that body, and they gave
instructions that the manholes that had been covered by
plates should be re-opened. When the plates were removed,
a host of complaints were received from inhabitants of
adjoining houses. Quite apart from any considerations as to
whether the public health was likely to be endangered by
these emanations there could be no doubt that an intolerable
state of affairs had arisen, and it was no consolation to the
complainants to be informed that the County Council had
been advised that the public health was not likely to be
endangered by the action taken. The complainants regarded
the smell as most objectionable and abominable, and a
nuisance of the worst order. At the meeting of the Woolwich
Borough Council in July it was declared urgent business to
deal with the following motion :—
"That the London County Council be informed that
the removal of the covers from certain manholes on the
main sewers in Woolwich has resulted in most objectionable
and offensive sewer emanations, causing serious
pollution of the atmosphere, and that the Woolwich
Borough Council, while appreciating the desire of the
London County Council to minimise the risk of damage
by explosion of sewer gases, are of opinion that the
method adopted is unsatisfactory and also unfair to
those who are subjected to the discomfort of these
intolerable smells, and asks that immediate steps may
be taken to replace these covers."
The public outcry against the action of the County
Council was not confined to Woolwich, and the County
Council, in reply to representations, took steps to see that the
discomfort and discontent complained of were removed by the
replacement of most of the plates.