Number 3 Sewer Ventilation Column on the railway bridge on Boundary Road

A sewer ventilation column of around 1896-1903, constructed by W Macfarlane & Co, for a sewerage scheme by Baldwin Latham (1836-1917) and one of around 28 remaining in Carshalton.   MATERIALS: cast-iron   DESCRIPTION: the cylindrical sewer ventilation column is around 9m high. It is designed to resemble a Classical column with pedestal, moulded base and enriched capital. It is constructed of two conjoined lengths of pipe, linked with a flanged joint. On top of the capital is a ball-shaped ventilation apparatus with four vents (two missing). Above the apparatus there is a tall finial and coronet. Attached to the coronet, there is a decorative arrow the purpose of which is thought to be to orientate the vent into the wind or to indicate the line of the sewer. There is a visible manufacture stamp on the column, with the name ‘W MACFARLANE & CO, GLASGOW’.