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DRAINAGE AND SERVICES
Owing to the continuing restrictions on labour and
materials, no major improvements or works have been possible
beyond the new pumping station at Bell Hill, Hampton, which is
now in operation.
The surcharging of existing sewers at East Twickenham
in storm times has at times been acute, and the Corporation have
decided to carry out a comprehensive scheme of relief to both
the soil and surface water systems as soon as it is practicable,
PUBLIC CLEANSING.
(a) STREETS.
The improved labour position has permitted a somewhat
higher standard of scavenging during the year and it is hoped to
improve still further until at least the pre-war conditions arc
attained. A new mechanical sweeper-collector will be delivered,
it is hoped, in 1947 and this will help towards this objective
and also secure economy in labour. The present mechanical gully
emptier which has been in use for 17 years, is also to be
replaced by a new vehicle in 1947.
(b ) REFUSE COLLECTION.
The vehicles on this service are urgently in need of
replacement but the type best suited for the area as a whole, nd
for transportation to the suggested new Destructor at Sunbury,
has still to be settled - when agreed, there is likely to be some
appreciable time elapse before delivery is obtained. The labour
position has improved and assisted in maintaining the existing
services. Salvage has fallen off in quantity, owing mainly to
decreasing efforts of the public, although the national need for
all salvage, and waste paper particularly, is as great as during
the critical war years.
(c)REFUSE DESTRUCTION.
The three destructors have been in use during the year,
but their condition and capacity, together with the shortage of
suitable labour, has necessitated, tipping from time to time. The
need for a modern plant has become urgent. Fortunately,
negotiations with Sunbury Urban District Council for a site in
that district have proceeded favourably and it is hoped a new upto-date
salvage and incinerating plant for which preliminary plans
have already been prepared, will be approved within the next
eighteen months. The selection of a,site some six miles from the
centre of the Borough has been governed by the shortage of
possible sites within the district, and the need for disposing at
the site of those materials of a non-salvagable nature. If the
scheme matures, it will be a joint works, dealing with refuse and
salvage from both areas and controlled jointly by the Corporation
and the Sunbury Council. The cost of the scheme is estimated at
between £90,000 and. £10C ,000,
RIVERS AND . STREAMS.
No action was necessary during the year concerning the
pollution of the River Thames or streams within the Borough.
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