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Public Swimming 333,348
Swimming Tuition 7,247
School Swimming 165,500
Slipper Baths 125,175
Turkish Baths 10,356
Public Laundry - Hand Washing 12,699
Machine Washing 11,240
Swimming Clubs 34,775
Schoolchildren - Cricket School 3,96l
Free Baths to Old Age Pensioners and
Unemployed Persons 5,686
709,987
FLOODING IN THE BOROUGH
There was widespread flooding in the Borough following a severe
storm with torrential rain on Fridays, 5th Septembers 1.8 inches
falling in 40 minutes. Some houses were flooded to a depth of over
four feet, resulting in serious loss of household effects, particularly
furnishings. Large quantities of debris were cleared by the Borough
Engineer's Department and blocked drains cleared by the Health Department.
An emergency service was operated by the Council's staff,
assistance also being given to householders in clearing the damaged
articles and Shop merchandise, mainly damaged foodstuffs. However,
within 24 hours of the storm all the choked drains which had been
reported to the Health Department had been cleared and left in working
order. Also within 24 hours of the storm every known incident of
flooding in the Borough had been visited.
The worst flooding occurred at Eglinton Road, Herbert Road,
Restons Crescent, Plumstead Common Road and Woodbrook Road.
The public were advised on the best practical means of drying household
effects, and encouraged to do as much as possible themselves.
At 75 houses in the Borough, those most severely affected by flood
water, two drying maehines, loaned by the R.A.F., were used. The
driers were used mainly in the living rooms and were in operation
for ten hours each day during the three weeks following the storm.
Besides the use of these driers, articles of bedding and clothing
were collected by the Health Department staff and taken to the
Council's disinfecting station for disinfection and drying. Nearly
three tons of foodstuffs were found to be contaminated by flood
water, the food requiring destruction The assistance of the Fire
Brigade was enlisted to help in the draining of a low lying area of
Woodbrook Road, where it is estimated that more than 1½ million tons
of water were removed. Altogether, rooms at 260 houses were sprayed
by the Health Department staff, rooms at 28 houses were limed, and
disinfectant soap was issued to householders of 179 premises.
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