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in that Deptfored Lower-road Sewer be declared a main Sewer, should be sent
to the Vestry of Rotherhithe, and the decision of the Board upon this subject has from
time to time been postponed.
The accompanying communication has since been received from the Vestry
of Rotherhithe.
This letter is of itself sufficient evidence of the objections, arising from a divided
responsibility in this case. At present the officers of this Board have charge of the
Main Sewer outlet, and the officers of the Vestry have charge of the Flap a little
higher up. So long as these works were under the control of the Commissioners of
Sewers, there was no danger of flooding; the present divided responsibility is lull of
difficulty and danger. With respect to the present allegations of the Sluice for Twenty
reply;—First: that our Sluice Keeper has had charge of the Sluice for Twenty
Years, and it is worked now as formerly; and any want of attention to the flap in
the District Sewer, would cause the waters to rise in it as alleged.
Second.—That the connection between the Duffield and the Earl. although it
was objected to by the Vestry of Rotherhithe, is advantageous to the drainage of the
District, and forms a most important link in every arrangement that has been proposed
for the relief of the tide locked Sewers.
Third.—The plans submitted by the Vestry of Rotherhithe, for the drain of
Adam and Albion-streets assumed the permament retention of the Lime-kiln outlet,
which it is intended to abolish; and did not fall in with the proposed Main Drainage
of the District.
Fourth.—The enlargement and improvement of the Earl outlet was ordered on
the First of January, and now waits the decision of this Board with respect to the
Earl pumping station.
Fifth.—The works contemplated by this Board will relieve the Deptford Lowerroad,
and all the adjoining Sewers from being overcharged.
I beg further to report that there is no security against flooding, and no scheme
of drainage for the Southern Districts can ever prove effective, unless the Deptford
Lower-road Sewer, being a length of about 7,200 feet, be declared a Main Sewer, as
recommended in my reports dated 12th February and 1st July
I have &c.
(Signed) J. W. Bazalgette.
Engineer,
Metropolitan Board of Works.
Extract from the Minutes of proceedings at Meeting of the Board, held
at Guildhall, in the City of London on Friday the 30th day of July,
1858.
Whereas it has been made to appear to the Metropolitan Board of Works, that