The actual experience of seven years, the great extent of road which has been entirely constructed according to my direction, and the unquestionable testimony of the Committees of the House of Commons appointed to enquire into this matter, have now placed the efficiency of the discovery beyond a doubt. It remains with the country to consider of the most wise and effectual mode of securing the benefit of the system.
Whoever has attentively considered the weakness and inadequacy of the present road laws, to protect the great interest at stake, must be aware of the urgent necessity for some new legislative measures, more adapted to the present state of the country. The roads are, perhaps, the most important branch of our domestic economy. The revenue collected for their support equals that of the Post-office; and any failure in executing the work, operates as a severe check upon our commerce, manufactures, and agriculture. Yet a public service of such vital importance, continues to be regulated solely by the narrow policy and limited views of the first Turnpike Act, (which were, in fact, mere experiments in legislation,) while this immense revenue is abandoned to the discretion or the cupidity of the lower orders of society.
The benefit which I have aspired to render the country, is of a twofold nature; and my labours have been as constantly directed towards the introduction of a wise and well-regulated system of management for the roads, as towards their mechanical construction. I have always expressed a conviction, that no permanent improvement could take place in road affairs, without the interference of the legislature; nor has the success attending the efforts of my family, in various places, in any way tended to weaken that opinion. The advantages of the new method of making roads are so apparent, they have not failed of attracting attention; but I have not been equally fortunate in inducing the gentlemen of the country to observe the means by which economy and improvement have been combined.
It is not only to the simplicity and cheapness of the new system, that the great difference of expense is owing. In every place where the system has been properly acted upon, care has been taken to place the road business on the same respectable footing as other branches of the public service; a complete executive department has been created. The inferior officers, selected from the most respectable yeomanry, are placed under the vigilant inspection of a superior, whose responsibility secures his attention, and who is not liable to be biassed by any influence in the duties of his office. The great success that has attended the adoption of this plan, under all the disadvantages of the present road laws, is an earnest of what might result from its being established on a comprehensive scale, under the authority of Parliament.
Although no measures have yet been taken for establishing any systematic plan for the management of roads, it is gratifying to observe the spirit of improvement which is extending itself over the country. This is manifest in various ways. The plan of converting the pavements of streets into stoned roads, was introduced into the Bristol district about six years ago; and it may reasonably be expected, that pavements will very soon be nearly superseded by the more convenient, safe, and economical substitute of stoned roads. Of the superior convenience of roads, there can be no question; and all the minor objections which have been started can be so easily obviated, that a very little reflection will be sufficient for any candid mind. The inhabitants of towns are generally apprehensive that roads will be less commodious for foot passengers than pavements: but (if proper care be bestowed on cleaning and watering) a road made of broken stone will be found more eligible than such pavements as those of London. In some towns, where the principal streets are turnpike roads, the commissioners have caused them to be made of materials broken very small, which, when skilfully laid, form a smooth, firm surface.
The great difference between the cost of a road, and even the worst London pavement, would enable the city to bestow such care on the cleanliness of the carriage ways, as would allow the inhabitants to enjoy all the advantages of smooth road, with even increased comfort to the foot passenger.
TO THE GENERAL TREASURER, THE TREASURERS OF DIVISIONS, AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CARE OF THE TURNPIKE ROADS IN THE BRISTOL DISTRICT, TO WHOSE FIRMNESS AND PATRIOTIC ZEAL IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTY, THE KINGDOM IS INDEBTED FOR THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF THE PRACTICE OF A NEW AND EFFECTUAL SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE REPAIR OF THE ROADS, AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS UNDER THEIR CARE; THESE REMARKS ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, AS A TESTIMONY OF THE ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE OF THEIR
OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT,
THE AUTHOR.