York Place Boscombe (2)

Image: © Mike Searle Taken: 20 Jul 2023

A Victorian era stench pipe is still in-situ at the end of the street. Also known as a stink pipe, they are found above ground in order to vent off noxious and inflammable gases from the sewers below, releasing them high above street level. A series of two or three can occasionally be found in urban areas in a line that follow the route of the old sewer network. With urban regeneration, they are becoming increasingly uncommon, and even rare, some with Grade II listing. A number of different manufacturers made them, the names of which can often be found at the base of the pipe. It is believed that this particular example has the almost illegible name of 'J Stone & Co., Deptford, London' in embossed letters on the base. The pipes would eventually became obsolete due to advances in domestic and public sewage processing in the 20th century, so very few remain. Image

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