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115
Innumerable notices were served on the Itinerants to abate
nuisances with little effect, and I presume the Town Cleric had
difficulty in serving summonses when these were passed to
him for legal action as no cases reached Court.
From the Public Health Inspector's view point this has all
been a very frustrating and time wasting exercise, and it is to
be hoped that I will be able to report some improvement in my
next annual report.
Clean Air Act
This borough is making good progress in Clean Air. During
the year three Smoke Control Areas came into operation, No. 11
(Woodford Wells), No. 12 (Seven Kings) and No. 13 (Fairlop),
and the overall picture is as follows:—
Total number of premises within borough 87,000 (estimated)
Total number of premises with S.C.A.
in operation 49,001
Total area of borough 13,983 acres
Total area of borough covered by
S.C.A.'s 9,721 acres
As will be seen from the map in appendix 24 with the areas
in operation the programmes of the former Ilford and Wanstead
and Woodford Councils have now been joined together. From
now on it is proposed to deal with one large area per year.
This will save consideiable administration expenses. The dark
cloud in the horizon is the economic position of the country
which may cause some delay. It is hoped that this will be only
of a temporary nature and that the Council will decide to complete
its programme by either 1971 or 1972.
There is little doubt of the benefits obtained in smoke
control areas resulting in a much cleaner atmosphere, and as
remaining areas cover the most densely populated part of the
borough, It is most important that the momentum achieved since
1961 should be maintained until the job is completed.
The tarry dark grey smoke which Issues from the domestic
chimney discharged at low level is a far greater menace than
most Industrial smoke and fumes which are emitted at a considerable
height and are carried away by natural turbulence in
the atmosphere.
Very few complaints have been received regarding shortage
of solid fuel, and it would seem that the manufacturers and
distributors, given reasonable weather conditions, are able to
cope with all demands. The swing towards gas from solid fuel