Since I had the honour of reporting to the meeting of commissioners on the 2d of March last, the amendment of the roads has proceeded with success, and at present there are no parts of the roads of the Bristol district in a bad state.
Much has been done in partial improvements, which have altogether amounted to a considerable sum, although not of sufficient magnitude individually to come within the scope of the regulations of the general meeting, that restrain improvements exceeding 50l. without special order; several such improvements are still necessary, and some of the small bridges require to be lengthened in the arches, in order to lead the roads to them more commodiously, and to widen the roadway on the bridges.
The statement of the income and expenditure of the year, now made up to the 25th March, presents a very satisfactory result.
In the last year, a sum equal to nearly five times that of the preceding year, has been paid into the 5 per cent. fund.
A floating debt, which did not appear in the printed annual account of last year, but which amounted to about 1,400l. has been paid off.
The balances of treasurer’s accounts, which last year showed the trust to be indebted on the whole to the treasurer 356l. are now so much on the other side, that your treasurers have on the whole account a balance in hand of 614l. and this balance is efficient, because the floating debt is now reduced to the smallest sum possible, under the circumstances of a business so extended.
In addition to which, I have to congratulate the commissioners on a reduction of the principal debt in the sum of 729l. 10s. 3d. and that turnpike tickets, which were at a discount, are now in demand at par.
(Signed) John Loudon MᶜAdam.
8th March 1819.
The foregoing is a true copy from the book of proceedings of the trustees of the Bristol turnpike roads.