View report page

138
but gives rise to considerable intermittent nuisance from smoke and dirt in the
upper back room, in addition to which the staircases are badly lighted and illventilated,
with the exception of one or two instances where some light is obtained
from a small fixed window in the rear main wall.
Reviewed collectively and generally, the dwellings in this area all
possess defects, which definitely produce bad living conditions, the general
structural condition of the houses is poor—many very poor—structural
weaknesses have developed, resulting in sunken roofs which necessitate frequent
attention to maintain them in any degree of weather proof condition; sunken
floors, bulged ceilings, and a worn and decaying condition of general woodwork
and joinery; most of the brickwork is in a very poor condition, much of which
has, within recent time, become so bad as to necessitate being dealt with as
dangerous or neglected structures under the London Building Act.
Reference to the photographs Nos. 8, 9, 10 and 11 will provide some idea of
the types of dwellings included in this area.
BERKSHIRE ROAD AREA.
Dwellings of the normal two-storey terrace type make up this area. The
majority provide accommodation of five rooms and a wash-house, and a number
have six rooms and wash-house.
Some of the floors are below the level of the adjoining ground, and the
houses are entered directly from the street without any intervening forecourt.
Inspection of the area reveals at least two serious defects common to most
of the dwellings. In nearly every instance bad settlements have occurred,
particularly in the region of the main partition wall as a result of which the
floors and ceilings have sunk in sympathy. This common defect is doubtless
due to the absence of concrete under the footings; and the periodical floodings
to which these houses have been subjected in the past have no doubt largely
contributed in the cause of these settlements. In addition, most of the houses
bear evidence of serious dampness which probably arises as a consequence of
the general absence of damp-proof courses, concrete over the building site,
inadequate sub-floor ventilation, and the neglected condition and excessive
porosity of some of the brickwork.
Special mention should be made of the fact that a considerable number of
walls or parts of walls have recently reached such a bad condition as to necessitate
action being taken by the London County Council under the "dangerous or
neglected structures" section of the London Building Act, and there is no doubt
that some more of the existing brickwork will shortly have to receive similar
attention.
The houses in this area are not old—estimated at approximately 50 years—
but it is evident from their present condition that initial construction must have
been very poor, as structural weaknesses are general, and have resulted in
bulging or settled brickwork, bulged or sagging ceilings, sunken floors, dropped
partition walls, etc. Coupled with these facts the properties have received only
a minimum of maintenance carried out in an indifferent manner, and as a result
of all these factors, the houses have deteriorated into their present condition
of general disrepair and dampness.
Photograph No. 12 indicates the type of dwelling proposed to be dealt with
in this area.
BROADWAY AREA.
The area is principally made up of two-storey terrace dwelling houses,
providing accommodation of four rooms and a wash-house addition.