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21
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Water Supply.
The Borough water supply is obtained from the Metropolitan
Water Board, and has been satisfactory in all respects.
Drainage and Sewerage.
Soil sewage is taken into the London County Council system and
surface water discharges into the River Lee. The Moselle Brook
continues to be a source of complaint by residents in the adjacent
areas, and the necessity for culverting this open water course is
again stressed.
Closet Accommodation.
Closet accommodation in the Borough is on the water carriage
system. The severe conditions of last winter, with the consequent
"freezing up'' of flushing apparatus, emphasises the necessity for
greater publicity to be given to the provisions of Section 51, Public
Health Act, 1936. This section requires that the occupier of every
building shall cause the flushing apparatus to be kept supplied with
sufficient water. Many tenants fail to take the most elementary
precautions to prevent frozen pipes, and appear to regard this as the
sole responsibility of the landlord.
HOUSING.
Attention is directed to the necessity for a review of policy in
relation to slum clearance procedure.
This problem is assuming greater importance each succeeding
year, and gives rise to grave concern. The question of securing a
reasonable standard of living accommodation in houses which are
fit only for condemnation is almost impossible of solution. Owners
of such properties give expression to this when notices requiring
urgent repairs are served upon them by replying that the dwellings
are past repair, and they are prepared to refuse to collect the rents.
The policy of patching up old and worn out property cannot
continue indefinitely.
Housing Act, 1936, Section 11.
During the year 1946, Demolition Orders were made with
respect to the following dwelling-houses, namely:—
Nos. 50, 52, and 54, Tewkesbury Road.
Nos. 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23, Chalgrove Road.