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which in their view, with a broader operational basis, economic or social, offers the best future
for Inland Waterways. The appearance of converted narrow boats used as pleasure craft on some
of the more rural canals is one aspect of this new policy.
A matter, however, of closer interest to the Port Health Authority as well as to the Metropolis,
is the scheme a private group of canal carriers, who under licence operate the Grand Union and
Regents Canals, have formulated and which has been submitted to the Rochdale Committee. It is
based on utilising the inland waterways through London, including of course the River Thames,
for the conveyance of goods to and from specially set up water-side terminals on the outskirts of
this now greatly extended conurbation, where goods will be off and on loaded from vehicular traffic
to lighters or canal craft. It is intended that a link should be made with the London Docks from
such terminal depots for the purpose of dealing with imports and exports.
If the scheme was fully implemented, it would undoubtedly result in a reduction of the number
of heavy vehicles needing to pass through the Metropolis to the Docks. On account of the immense
congestion they cause in the central area, the Police have already sought and obtained powers to
restrict these heavy vehicles to one particular route.
Although the primary object of the scheme is to relieve traffic congestion by providing an
alternative means of transport, there would as a result also be a decrease in the amount of atmospheric
pollution as well as a diminution in the volume of noise which would ensue as a natural
consequence of this. These are matters equally important from a public health point of view. As
was stated at a Conference of the National Society for Clean Air, it has been estimated that half
the pollution in some American Cities came from motor vehicles, and this may well be the case in
some of our own Cities. The scheme is, therefore, one which must appeal to all London local
authorities who have prescribed "smokeless areas", and on that account as well as from the
traffic point of view should be given proper consideration.
LOADING AND TRANSPORT OF REFUSE BY LIGHTERS
Regular inspection of the wharves and lighters continued during the year and several minor
infringements were dealt with without recourse to legal action. On one occasion only, it was decided
to take legal proceedings which were successful and a penalty was imposed.
There are sixteen wharves in regular service on the tideway and in the creeks and an additional
six wharves are maintained for any emergency tipping. Two refuse depots outside the
jurisdiction of the Port Health Authority continued to transport the refuse by lighters to disposal
points within the district of the Port Health Authority. The operations of loading, carriage and
discharge of refuse are watched by the Inspectors afloat to ensure that the provisions of the Byelaws
are complied with. There was a slight, general improvement noted although much more is
desired, especially at the open wharves with direct tipping of buoyant refuse exposed to the
elements. Covering of loaded lighters in transit showed some improvement.
During the early part of the year, Lots Road Power Station at Chelsea commenced disposal of
furnace clinker by lighter as a temporary measure to cope with a modernisation programme.
Hitherto, this clinker had been transported by road vehicles. The method of loading was to convey
it by a water-carriage system from the boiler house to a storage pond, and thence to the lighter by
a perforated grab, operated by a tracked diesel unit. By virtue of its heavy gravity, only a fraction
of the normal bulk is carried by a fully laden lighter and, the clinker being free from dust, it is not
found necessary to cover the coamings with tarpaulins to comply with the Byelaws. The cargo is
entirely inert and innocuous.
Another improvement was successfully effected by Fulham Borough Council at the Townmead
Road Depot where the new refuse disposal installation operates on the principle of sorting, salvage
and incineration. The clinker residue from the furnace is wetted and transferred from the
plant to the wharf frontage by a covered conveyor belt, through a telescopic chute from which it
cascades into the lighter. No tarpaulin sheeting of the coaming is enforced or necessary.
It may well by that other improvements will accrue when the Greater London Council takes
control and schemes at present witheld proceed from the drawing board stage.
HOUSEBOATS
The Essex County Council Act, 1952, provides that the mooring of any houseboat within the
County shall not be lawful without the consent of the Council of the district in which the houseboat
is situated, and that the Council may require the owner or occupier to remove or demolish
any houseboat not authorised by them.
The Port and City of London Health Committee are, however, still responsible under the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, for the sanitary supervision of houseboats coming within the
jurisdiction of the Port Health Authority, although under the Essex County Council Act, 1952,
the local Council in Essex are now responsible for the licensing and drawing up of conditions
under which they are prepared to grant licences to houseboats.
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