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AIR POLLUTION
Continuous progress was made during the year in the implementation
of the Council's Clean Air policy. The No. 3 Smoke Control Order (to
come into operation on 1st October 1963) was made by the Council on
29th January 1962 and confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local
Government on 14th June 1962. On 1st October 1962 Nos. 1 and 2 Smoke
Control Orders became operative, affecting the whole of the Morden
Ward.
The survey of premises in future control areas proceeded steadily,
an attempt being made to interview the occupier of each of the premises
within the areas concerned. 1 feel it is largely due to this personal contact
and the use I have been able to make of the excellent mobile demonstration
units of the Coal Utilisation Council and Solid Smokeless Fuels
Federation that there has been once again a complete absence of formal
objections to the formation of smoke control areas. In all, 568 visits were
made by Smoke Investigators and my Deputy to discuss the implications
of proposed Smoke Control Orders, and 1,570 visits to inspect adaptations
to fireplaces eligible for grants.
Twenty-two cases of infringement of Smoke Control Orders were
dealt with informally, as all were first offences.
The observation of industrial chimney emissions has continued as
part of the normal duties of the Public Health Inspectors, hampered,
unfortunately, by depleted staff. Four emissions in excess of the Permitted
Period Regulations were observed and resulted in one prosecution,
a £2 fine being imposed. Another firm was prosecuted for failing to notify
the installation of a new boiler.
Examination of plans of new chimneys to serve industrial furnaces
has again resulted in increases in the proposed chimney heights being
required to prevent a rise in ground level pollution. It is hoped that
guidance will soon be forthcoming from the Government to assist your
Officers in the difficult task of determining the minimum height of chimneys
in the vicinity of tall buildings.
Measurement of air pollution has continued throughout the year as
part of the nation-wide survey undertaken by local authorities in cooperation
with the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research.
The daily concentrations of smoke and sulphur dioxide are measured at
the Lombard Road Pumping Station of the Sutton & District Water
Company, at Grand Drive Clinic, and at Morden Farm County Secondary
School, Aragon Road. At the latter site the work is still being undertaken
by pupils under the guidance of the Science Master. Measurements
obtained from all three sites (which are summarised in the following table)
compare favourably with those of similar sites in the Greater London
area.
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