The Great Stink

Created 7-Sep-17

35 photos, 4 videos

Crossness Pumping Station - Engines and buildings in South East London were opened in 1865 and immediately the drinking water quality and air quality improved. Cholera, which had claimed many lives was virtually eliminated.

The massive new London sewer system and the pumping stations (another station was built on the North side of the Thames) was the brainchild of Sir Joseph Bazalgette who was chief engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW an early form of City Council)

The Government empowered MBW to borrow £3 million, about £200-£250 million today. The reason so much money was put into the project was because 1858 was the hottest summer on record and as a consequence the Thames flowing past The Houses of Parliament didn't smell like Chanel. It was named "The Great Stink" by the Members of Parliament (must not upset them). So a lot of the worlds health improved because of Sir John Bazalgette's plans and ideas.

In 1980 following a period of planning and finding out what was there English Heritage gave Grade 1 listing to the Engine and Boiler Houses. There are four huge beam engines, named after members of the Royal Family of the time, one of which has been restored with a second currently being worked on.