View report page

7
The necessity for a twofold system of drainage—surface and
sewerage—in the outlying parts of the metropolis is now generally
acknowledged, and this Board caused a clause to be inserted in
the Beckenham Sewerage Act, making it imperative upon the
Rural Sanitary Authority " so far as it is practicable to prevent
the storm waters of their district from flowing into the sewers
within the Beckenham Sewerage Area, and thereby into the Penge
and Bell Green Sewer," and it is becoming more and more
apparent that the kind of surface drainage which has been effected
with so much advantage in Penge, must very soon be applied
to a large extent in Lewisham Parish.
HIGHWAYS.
The gradual improvement which, for several years past, has
been made in the general condition of the roads in the District,
has been maintained during the last year, for not only has the
total quantity of material used been increased, but also the
proportion of granite to other material of a less durable quality.
The following table shows the various kinds as well as the
quantity of material used in each of the last three years.
ROAD MATERIAL.
1871-2.
1872-3.
1873-4.
Cubic yds.
Cubic yds.
Cubic yds.
Granite
779
1,523
2,802
Bombay, China, and other hardstone
438
1,055
414
Land picked and other flints
6,378
4,554
7,039
Croydon and other gravel
2 051
4,191
3,427
Other material
76
713
Total
8,722
11,323
14,395
Permanent improvements have also been extensively carried
out during the year, including a very considerable length of
kerbing of footpaths and channelling of roads. "No less than
3,724 superficial yards of Asphalte and Concrete Footpaths have
also been laid down in Lewisham Parish, in addition to which
Tar-paving has been laid down in the footpaths in various parts
of the District, amounting in all to 17,374 superficial yards—viz.,
11,173 in Lewisham, and 6,201 in Penge.
The localities in which these works have been carried out are
stated in detail in the annexed Report by the Surveyor.