View report page

The total number of separate households (i.e., persons sharing the same living
room or eating at the same table) in the Borough of Woolwich was recorded as
45,366 (being a percentage increase of 18.8 compared with the number in 1931).
The members of these households were occuping 40,511 structurally separate dwellings
(being a percentage increase of 33.4 compared with the 1931 figure). Twenty-three
per cent. of households were sharing a dwelling (the third lowest figure among
Metropolitan Boroughs). Only 2 per cent. of occupied accommodation had less
than three rooms. The average number of persons per Woolwich household is
estimated to be 3.12 (the third highest average among the London Boroughs) compared
with 3.61 in 1931. The average number of rooms per household was 4.27
being the highest figure among Metropolitan Boroughs.
The density of occupation (persons per room) for the Borough of Woolwich
was 0.73. Ten per cent. of Woolwich households are one-person households. This
is the lowest percentage among Metropolitan Boroughs. The average number of
rooms per dwelling was 4.85 compared with 5.22 in 1931. 108 Woolwich households
were occupying one room only; 699 were occupying 2 rooms; 3,533 were
occupying 3 rooms; 9,775 were occupying 4 rooms; 16,451 were occupying 5 rooms;
6,423 were occupying 6 rooms; 2,085 were occupying 7 rooms; and 886 were
occupying 8 rooms or more.
The report reveals that the percentage of Woolwich persons living at more than
two per room is now 1.28 compared with 5.66 in 1931. Only one other Metropolitan
Borough (Wandsworth with 1.26) had a lower percentage. Comparative
figures for the Administrative County of London are 2.5 per cent. in 1951 and
13.1 per cent. in 1931.
Altogether, 15,534 households were without a fixed bath and 4,119 were sharing.
Therefore, 43 per cent. of the total number of households in the Borough were either
sharing a fixed bath or without one. However, only the city of London, Chelsea,
St. Marylebone and Lewisham have lower percentages than Woolwich, the great
majority of Metropolitan Boroughs having as many as 60 to 70 per cent. of their
total households sharing a fixed bath or being without one.
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION
Sanitary Inspection of the Area.
During 1953 the Sanitary Inspectors carried out 30,701 inspections, including
re-inspections. The nature of these inspections is shown in Table No. 11. As a
result of these inspections, 1,393 intimation notices and 880 statutory notices were
served.
Complaints.
There was a slight increase in the number of complaints received during the
year—2,026 compared with 1,878 in 1952. It remained, however, below the figure
for 1951 which was 2,676. The necessary action was taken where complaints were
made or nuisances discovered.