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GYPSIES
A great deal of trouble has been experienced from gypsies of the diddicoy or nomadic tinker
type. When these people are found, the Council's Ranger is informed; he is empowered to tow caravans
on to the highway, after the landowner has requested his assistance. Similar action is taken where
caravans are found on Council land, bridleways, footpaths, etc. Although no serious public health
risk is involved, these nomads' habit of leaving their camping sites strewn with all kinds of rubbish
is seriously detrimental to the amenities of the Borough, and the cost of cleaning up the refuse is an
appreciable charge on the rates.
In addition, the time spent by the public health inspectors on this work could be used to much
greater advantage. Sooner or later serious consideration will have to be given to the question of
whether the present method of harrying and moving on these people (sometimes merely from one
site to another in the Borough, or, at best, to an adjoining Borough) is not only a waste of the
Council's money and officers' time, but is also more than a little inhumane and, worst of all, is not
an effective remedy.
CLEAN AIR
Measurement and Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution
Five stations for the measurement of atmospheric pollution by the daily volumetric system are
in use. These stations are in the former Hayes and Harlington and Ruislip/Northwood Districts and,
with the exception of an adjustment necessary at one station, are installed to standards laid down by
the Ministry of Science and Technology. The pollutants measured are smoke and sulphur dioxide, in
both cases by a standard procedure so that the results are comparable with any other station
operated in the United Kingdom or member countries of the Organisation for European Economic
Co-operation. Two additional stations are to be installed and an existing station resited so as to give
a more representative picture of the Borough. The new stations will be built within the department
and will be designed to operate for seven days without attention.
In comparing one station with another it is very important to take into consideration the
different characteristics of the districts in which they are situated, i.e. density of residential development,
proximity and type of industry, proximity of trunk roads, airport runways, etc. Two of the
stations are in smoke control areas but three are not: one station is in a low density residential
area in close proximity to miles of open space: another is in close proximity to the highest concentration
of industry in the Borough and was placed in this position with the express purpose of finding
the degree of pollution under the worst conditions.
The following tables show:—
1. Monthly averages of daily readings of smoke and sulphur dioxide.
2. Monthly average for the summer and winter seasons.
3. Increase of smoke and sulphur between winter and summer.
4. Ratio between summer and winter.
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