an Act "For Repairing the Roads from Stevenage..." 1730

Abstract from BOPCRIS

Sir Thomas Saunders Sebright reported from the Committee to whom the Petition of several of the Trustees, on behalf of themselves and the other Trustees, named, and appointed in and by virtue of an Act of Parliament, passed in the Sixth Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George the First, intituled, "An Act for repairing "the Roads from Stevenage, in the County of Hertford, to Biggleswade, in the County of Bedford," whose Names are thereunto subscribed, and also of others, who have advanced Moneys upon the Credit of the said Act, whose Names are thereunto subscribed, was referred; that the Committee had examined the matter of the said Petition, and had directed him to report the same, as it appeared to them, together with the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon to the House: And he read the Report in his Place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk's Table; where the Report and Resolutions were read; and are as followeth; viz.

That the Committee, pursuant to the Order of the House, of the Eighth of February last, have taken into Consideration the said Petition.

And Mr. Wm. Astell, James Menason, Surveyor, and Mr. John Page, being examined, said, that the Trustees, appointed to put the said Act in Execution, have borrowed, upon the Credit of the Toll of the said Turnpike, the Sum of Six thousand Pounds, which still remains unpaid; and that the said Roads from Stevenage to Biggleswade have been in a very bad and ruinous Condition ever since the Winter before last; and that the Trustees were obliged to lay out £.800. this Year in the Repairs thereof.

The Witnesses said, that the heavy Loads of Corn, Malt, and other Grain, often carried on the said Roads, have been the chief Cause of their being so bad; and that the Roads cannot be amended, and kept in sufficient Repair, by the Duties arising at present from the Toll, or the Moneys so borrowed at Interest, be repaid, unless some further Provision be made, and restrictions laid upon Persons, to prevent the Carriage of excessive Weights.

The Witnesses, being further examined, said that the Materials are very indifferent, and not proper for repairing the Roads; and that the Inhabitants of most of the Parishes through which the said Roads lead, have constantly done their Statute-work.

And that, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to the following resolutions; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Petitioners have fully proved the Allegations, contained in the said Petition.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the excessive Weights, carried, during the Winter Season, on the said Roads, have been the Occasion of their being lately so much out of Repair; and that proper Restrictions ought to be laid upon Persons, to prevent such Carriages for the future.

The last Resolution, being read a Second time, was, upon the Question put thereupon agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent the carrying excessive Weights upon the publick Roads in that Part of Great Britain called England; and that Sir Thomas Saunders Sebright, Sir John Hynde Cotton, and Mr. Winnington, do prepare, and bring in, the same.

For more information about roads see The Road Through Harpenden

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