TRAFFIC CENSUS AND GRAPHS

One normal day in the middle of October 1948 we took a traffic census and Graph below shows the result.  Two conclusions seem to be clear.  1.  That traffic is busiest between 1 and 2:00 PM and again between 3 and 4:00 PM.

2. That many people locally cycle to and from work.  Totals of traffic passing during our seven hour census were:- Cars 483, cycles 340, lorries 363, buses 32, other vehicles 86.

Repeat census mid November 1958 cars 1264, cycles 282, lorries 526, buses 50, other vehicles 60.

Conclusions (1) overall increase = 70%.  Cars up 16 ½% .

(2) distribution through day much more even: Peak earlier.

OUR HOUSES

The next three pages consist of maps showing 1.  Lighting 2.Water supply and 3.Lavatory accommodation for our houses.  From these it will be seen that while most of the homes have up to date facilities that are still many houses which need great improvements.

Red brick houses are a feature of Easneye Houses.  Properties range from wooden, home built houses, through brick and wood, and lath and plaster to solidly constructed brick houses such as those on the two council house estates.

Our water supply, where it is laid on, comes from a reservoir near Standon about 7 or 8 miles to our North.

Electric light is supplied by the Eastern Electricity Board (until recently the North Metropolitan EB) and is sent here from Brimsdown power station.

Gas, supplied by the eastern Gas Board Board, (late Tottenham Gas co) comes from the St Margaret’s Gas Works, boosted by supplies from Tottenham.

It will be noted that, though a water main was laid through the village in 1938, many householders still have to pump water, often from a community pump.

The new housing estate at the Folly is not dealt with here as though many of the houses are for our villagers, the Estate is at Great Amwell; at present 82 Airey houses, 35 brick houses and 8 bungalows are occupied.

A study of 283 houses -see also maps etc on page 17 to 21 – shows that only 131 or 46% of them have electric light, main water laid on and flash lavatories.  As far as can be ascertained 28 houses have garages, and 36 cars, 13 motorcycles and 2 autocycles are owned by villagers.

STREET PLAN NOTES

Roydon Road

No 1 was once a Public House.

No 19 The Misses Clift carry on a dress making business in a bungalow here.

No 25 general shop Mrs. Turner.

No 47 Queens Head PH Mr. Mercer with shed at rear for Mr. Turner’s and lorry ( see No 25) used for general haulage locally.

No 51 Pendaley Kennels Mr R and Miss t Hoskins.

No 24 Five horseshoes PH Mr Whally.

No 22 telephone exchange with lines serving a mile radius.

Telephone operators are employed.  There’s a public call office inside the front door.

No 36. Thele Avenue, Mr. Stanley Francis repairs shoes at home.

Nos the 30, 32, 34 no longer exist having been demolished about 1920.

Cappell Lane

No 1.  The Clock House.  Many would like to see it return to the public ownership, the Long room being used for council meetings.  At

No 7.  Prince of Wales PH with Chapel and Chapel room next door.

No 14.  Police cottage.

Nos 23, 25 no longer exist having been demolished about 1930.

Several stretches of land would appear to be available for building, though land on the West side is liable to floods.

Near Easneye entrance are four cottages for pensioners of Easneye estate and a pillar box stands outside.

Two large Oak seats, one marked “this seat is placed to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, May 1937,” stand at the Pied Bull of corner just south of the Clock House.