Remarks on the Present System of Road Making: With Observations, Deduced from Practice and Experience, With a View to a Revision of the Existing Laws, and the Introduction of Improvement in the Method of Making, Repairing, and Preserving Roads, and Defending the Road Funds from Misapplication. Seventh Edition, Carefully Revised, With an Appendix, and Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons, June 1823, with Extracts from the Evidence — John Shaqi
Remarks on the Present System of Road Making: With Observations, Deduced from Practice and Experience, With a View to a Revision of the Existing Laws, and the Introduction of Improvement in the Method of Making, Repairing, and Preserving Roads, and Defending the Road Funds from Misapplication. Seventh Edition, Carefully Revised, With an Appendix, and Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons, June 1823, with Extracts from the EvidenceMcAdam, John Loudon
History
Remarks on the Present System of Road Making: With Observations, Deduced from Practice and Experience, With a View to a Revision of the Existing Laws, and the Introduction of Improvement in the Method of Making, Repairing, and Preserving Roads, and Defending the Road Funds from Misapplication. Seventh Edition, Carefully Revised, With an Appendix, and Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons, June 1823, with Extracts from the Evidence
McAdam, John Loudon
Macadam roads; Roads -- Great Britain
Has your attention been particularly directed to the state of the roads
in other parts of the kingdom lately?—I travelled a considerable
distance last autumn in the north of England. Certainly I considered the
roads that I passed over there, to be very superior in general to what
they are in the first hundred miles from the metropolis. Subsequently to
that, I have had occasion to travel throughout North Wales, and I gave
particular attention to the Holyhead line of road.
By what road?—By Coventry. The roads which are found in North Wales are
remarkably good, and in my humble opinion, show great science in the
formation of them. The new roads I mean. The materials in that country
are of course very good. On this side of Birmingham, which is also the
road to Liverpool, there is great occasion to complain, particularly
from Dunchurch to Daventry. At this time that road is in a very
neglected state, very heavy, narrow, and blocked up by banks of drift. I
have had occasion to apply to that trust, but I do not learn that any
thing has been done.
Have you found the system of indictment afford any effectual remedy for
the evils which you have had cause to observe in that way?—I think we
have. But there have been very few indictments preferred for some years
past; the postmaster general not thinking it right to press upon the
districts during the season of agricultural distress. I should say, we
do not consider that any reason, at present, for abstaining.
Have you experienced from the commissioners, a disposition, generally,
to attend to such complaints as you have found occasion to make?—Such
applications as I have had occasion to make appear to have been very
well received; but I cannot say, that in many instances the roads have
been much improved. I will add to this answer, that I lately passed over
the road from Oxford through Henley to London; and although that is one
of the roads complained much of, it is certainly, at this time, in a
very improper state.
In such cases do you not follow up your measures by stronger
proceedings, by indictment?—I think that in this case it would be
necessary to renew our applications, and perhaps to proceed by
indictment; but I have considered it prudent not to interfere, chiefly
in contemplation of the proceedings of this Committee.
From what you have seen of the new roads in Wales, do you not conceive
that nearly all the turnpike roads in England are capable of very
considerable improvement, by an application of equal skill in the
disposition of the materials employed upon them?—I certainly do.
Mr. _William Waterhouse_, called in; and Examined.
You keep the Swan-with-two-Necks in Lad-lane?—I belong to the premises;
I don’t keep the house; I am the coachmaster.
You are the proprietor of many mail and other coaches?—I am.
As the proprietor of mail and stage coaches, has your attention been
directed to the state of the roads over which they travel?—Yes, it has.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account