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21
CLEAN AIR ACT
Smoke Control Areas
The second smoke control order came into operation on the 1st September, 1961,
and the emission of smoke in an area along the southern portion of the Borough is now
controlled. A third Order which was made by the Council on the 23rd November, 1961,
received the confirmation of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government on the 8th
February, 1962. When this comes into operation on the 1st November, 1962, another
8441 dwellings will be restricted from causing the emission of smoke. The Order also
affects 119 factories, 544 shops and 37 other buildings.
It will be seen that the Council are resolved to do everything in their power to
ensure that progress shall be as rapid as possible in their programme to make the whole
of the Borough a smoke control area. The ill-effects of atmospheric pollution upon
the health of the community is fully appreciated. Health statistics clearly show that
chest diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer, are much more common in the urban
areas where atmospheric pollution is heaviest. For this reason alone, the expenditure
of public funds in making grants towards the adaptation of fireplaces to enable smoke
less fuels to be burnt is a wise investment for the future.
Furnace Installations
Fourteen notifications under section 3 of the Clean Air Act, 1956, were received
and examined of proposals to install industrial furnaces.
In two cases formal approval under sub-section (2) was requested and this was
agreed to in both cases.
In December 1961, with the co-operation of the Tottenham Chamber of Commerce, a
circular letter was sent to industrialists reminding them that the seven year exemption
in respect of existing buildings and equipment will expire on the 5th July, 1963, and
that any necessary alterations should be undertaken at an early date.
Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution
The Council agreed to take part in the national survey into atmospheric pollution
which is being conducted by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. For
this purpose the number of sulphur dioxide and smoke recorders in the borough has been
increased to three. These are sited one in the North at Devonshire Hill Branch Library
one inthe South at Markfield Secondary Modern School and one centrally at the Tottenham
Technical College.