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

by John Loudon McAdam

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1823.

ADVERTISEMENT.

Since the Publication of the early editions of this Essay, the Author has witnessed with very great satisfaction the amendment of a large proportion of the Turnpike Roads, and some improvement of the Parish Roads. That the reformation has not been more extensive and successful, may be attributed to the error still persisted in by Trustees, of continuing the services of persons as Road Surveyors, who are not only altogether ignorant of the business they profess, but full of prejudices in favour of their own erroneous practice.

Another and a greater error has been committed lately, in several parts of the Country, and which has entirely arisen from the desire entertained of using the new method of Road making. This very dangerous error consists in employing persons who offer themselves as having been instructed in Road making on scientific principles, without due inquiry respecting their skill, industry, and moral character.

Among the many persons who present themselves to be instructed, a very small proportion acquire a competent knowledge of their profession, and this number is farther diminished by subsequent dismission for negligence, drunkenness, and dishonesty.

Of these rejected and incapable persons, great numbers are spread over the Country, soliciting employment; and many have been incautiously engaged by Trustees, without inquiry either as to their character or their ability in their profession.

Under the most favourable circumstances for the constant and vigilant control of a master, whose public credit depends on the economical and skilful performance of the work, it is difficult to keep sub-surveyors in the strict line of their duty; but it may be easily conceived how much the public must suffer from accepting the services of men rejected for gross misconduct, and placing them in situations of confidence, altogether freed from the only control capable of being exerted with effect. This error, although of recent date, has already been attended with very disastrous consequences in several places.

A practical experience of Six Years, has served to confirm the opinion of the Author, that the control of Commissioners over surveyors is altogether ineffectual; whether for direction in their active duties, or for protecting the funds of Trusts from waste and peculation. The unceasing control, and minute inspection of a person whom the surveyors know to be as much their superior in skill and general information, as in station in society, and in the confidence of the Commissioners, is absolutely necessary for the protection of the Roads. Where such control is duly exercised, good management with economy will be the result; and wherever a mistaken notion of economy shall continue to prevent the application of such wholesome and necessary control, the roads will be imperfectly repaired, and the funds dissipated.