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111
firm moved to an industrial estate outside the borough early in the year,
and so this chapter was closed.
I also mentioned launderettes in my last report and here there has
also been some improvement as few complaints have been received.
Business premises in South Woodford were taken over by a firm of
car body repairers and as a result of numerous complaints, continuous
observations were carried out by Inspectors during working hours for a
week. Obstruction of the highway and constant movement of cars and
lorries appeared to be the principal sources of annoyance, but a noise
nuisance was not established. Informal approaches to the firm concerned
has practically eliminated the complaints.
Towards the end of the year a garage in the Seven Kings area became
the focal point of innumerable complaints of great variety. Amongst
these were noise and fumes from car and lorry washing and it is clear
that detailed observations will have to be carried out to establish
whether the complaints are justified.
Once again business premises, surrounded by houses in a residential
area, which had for a number of years operated on a small scale
without objection from the residents, has been taken over, enlarged and
the throughput of work increased thus arousing the anger of the residents.
Th is is basically a Town Planning problem, but although it is difficult
to deal with when once established, one is reluctant to advocate an
increase in controls.
Pests
The two rodent operative have continued to carry out excellent work
in the destruction of rats and mice, and also with wasps nests and feral
pigeon infestations.
Evidence has been accumulating that mice are becoming "Warfarin
Resistant", and where found to be so an alternative poison has been
used.
During the year a percentage survey of all the soil sewers was
undertaken.
Reference to this survey has enabled a programme of treatment to
be commenced. This systematic treatment will be continued, dealing
with the more heavily infested areas first and moving to less densely
infested areas progressively. Records are being kept for subsequent
treatments and assessment.
The work is being carried out by our own staff.