The Development of Telecoms - London South East Region
The South East area, London Telecommunications Region, stretches along the south bank of the Thames from Battersea to Lambeth and from Deptford to beyond Gravesend. Its southern limits reach the Kentish slopes of the North Downs.
The territory is rich in historical associations; here, Sir Walter Raleigh spread his cloak for the first Queen Elizabeth; here, at Deptford, were laid the foundations of Britain's modern naval strength; here, Wat Tyler made his early bid for democracy.
The area comprises stretches of industrial, residential and agricultural territory and its features include the Greenwich Naval College, the National Maritime Museum, Kennington Oval and Woolwich Arsenal.
Its products are many and varied, ranging from portland cement, telecommunications equipment and dustbins to hops, beer and silk from the silkworm farm at Lullingstone Castle.
The Area covers about 228 square miles. Its 39 exchanges have 160,000 exchange connections and 220,000 stations. It is growing at the rate of 8,500 exchange connections per year (1953-54). The staff numbers about 4,000.
