London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Deptford 1931

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]

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8
Physical Features.
The Metropolitan Borough of Deptford, as constituted by the
London Government Act, 1899, is situated to the south of the Thames,
being bordered, roughly, on the north by Bermondsey, on the south by
Lewisham, while Camberwell and Greenwich lie to the west and east
respectively. A small portion, roughly half a mile long, fronts the
river. Roughly rectangular in shape, its greatest length is approximately
two-and-a-half miles and width one-and-half miles. The
altitude presents considerable variation, much of that portion of the
Borough to the north of New Cross Road and Queen's Road being, on
an average, only 15 feet above mean sea level, while the rest of the
Borough shows an altitude varying from 80 feet to 160 feet at
Telegraph Hill. The soil varies, parts showing London clay formation,
other being of a more alluvial character. The area of the Borough is
given as 1,564 acres, but this for effective purposes is considerably
encroached upon by reason of the Surrey canal and various railway
lines which traverse the district.

The permanent open spaces are as follows:—

Situation.Size.Maintained by.
1.Deptford ParkEvelyn Street22 acresL.C.C.
2.Ravensbourne Recreation Ground.Brookmill Road1¼ acresBorough Council.
3.Telegraph Hill Recreation Ground.Telegraph Hill452 acresL.C.C.
4.Railways and adjoining land.234 acres
5.Millwall Football Ground.5½ acres
6.Canals8 acres
7.St. Paul's Churchyard2.2 acres
8.Reservoir1 acre

During 1931, the Borough Council concluded negotiations for the
tenancy of a further piece of land in Brookmill Road, for use as a
recreation ground.
Statistics.
Area 1,564 acres
Population: Census 1921 112,534
Estimated Resident population, 1931 107,200
Number of inhabited houses (1921) 18,122
Number of families or separate occupiers (1921) 28,007
Rateable Value (31.3.1931) £655,415
Estimated sum represented by a 1d. Rate £2,624
Number of inhabited houses (December, 1931) accord-
to Rate Books 19,030