Forum Topic

Sewage works South Ealing

Does any know if there were sewage works in South Ealing near to the Ealing Park Tavern probably in the 1940/50s.  This pub had an unusual and not very flattering nickname associated with its proximity to said sewage works.  Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 2469d6 Comments

If I got this right then this link will show you a side -by-side of an old OS map and a modern satellite image, with both Elaing and brentford sewage works showing:https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17&lat=51.4954&lon=-0.3037&layers=168&right=BingHyb

ROBERT MAY ● 2466d

Having had a look at the 1934 O.S. map.What was the Sanatorium on the west sideof Occupation Lane became an annexe for the Isolation Hospital; while the Isolation Hospitalitself along with the Maternity Hospital were on the other side of Clayponds Lane from the sewage works.Doubtless with the wind blowing in the right direction the smell from Brentford Gasworksjust down the road will have masked any unhealthy odours emanating from the sewage works.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 2468d

There were actually two adjacent sewage works.The Ealing Sewage works was northernmostbordered by Occupation Lane and Clayponds Laneto the east and South Ealing Road to the west and was opposite the Flies home. Directly below this to the south was the Brentford sewage works alongside which believe it or not, on the same side of Clayponds Lane was the Brentford Sanatorium.The later isolation hospital was I believe onthe other side of Clayponds Lane.Details from the 1894 OS Map for the area.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 2468d

Thank you both very much. In my family it was known as The Flies Home which always sounded like The Flyzone.  Someone else thought it was because there was an abattoir nearby.

Pat Kingham ● 2468d

The sewerage works was located south of Occupation lane.If you register (FREE) on https://britainfromabove.org.uk/enLook for EPW035085 you'll see the works, the cemetary, EPT and surrounding area.

Lee Page ● 2469d

The sewerage works were built in the 1880s (I think) by the then borough engineer Charles Jones and were the first ever aerated sewage works in the world. Aeration mixes air with the effluent and allows appropriate bacteria to breed and destroy the nasties.Owing to the smell the residential area surrounding it (and especially south of it) was low down the social scale.The Ealing Park Tavern was named the "Penny Flyer" though was affectionately known as "the flies rest" due to the sewarage farm next door

Mark Julian Raymond ● 2469d