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Section A—Natural and Social
Conditions of the District.
Area (in acres) 3,346
Number of inhabited houses (end of 1945) according to
Rate Books 15,909
Rateable Value at 31st December, 1945 £481,318
Sum represented by 1d. rate £1,979
The Sanitary District, situated about midway between the Thames
and the North Downs, is roughly rectangular in shape. It is
approximately one mile in width and, commencing at a datum
level of 72 at the northern boundary, it extends for some five miles
in a southerly direction up the slope of the North Downs to a height
of 450 feet above sea level.
The subsoil, which is clay in the northern part, changes to a sandy
gravel as one proceeds southwards, and then merges into chalk, which
covers the southern half of the district.
The River Wandle forms the eastern boundary in the northern
half and is fed by several springs which arise near the centre of the
district at the outcropping of the chalky subsoil. For several years
past these springs have failed for more frequent and lengthy periods
as a result of the increased abstraction from the Thames Basin.
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It was not possible to restart housing developments by the end
of the year, and hence there was no new construction to relieve the
growing overcrowding.
Carshalton is largely a dormitory area for workers in London,
there being little local industry established within its boundaries.
The northern and central parts are highly urbanised, whilst the
southern portion has a lesser housing density. Most properties are
of the working class type, the average rateable value of dwellings
being less than £25.
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