Page:Remarks on the Present System of Road Making (1823).djvu/116

 *press it. The roads are inconvenient from the quantity and quality of the gravel heaped in the middle.

Have you known any instances in which a different system has been pursued, and the roads greatly improved, in the neighbourhood of London?—The road from London to Cranford Bridge has been improved of late, and from London to Hounslow more particularly, in consequence of the pavement in the crown of the road, which has done away with the gravelling, or shingle rather.

Is not the gravel upon that road generally employed without sifting or washing?—It is half clay.

Have you known instances in which this inconvenience has been remedied by superior skill and experience in the surveyor of the roads?—Yes; in the same line of road that Mr. Horne referred to; in the Kent road particularly.

If that same skill was employed in the application of materials to the other roads, do you not think that they might be brought generally to the same state of improvement?—I have no doubt of it; there is no question about it. The Surrey road has been improved on the same principle.

What do you call the Surrey road?—From London to Guildford.

Do you know under whose management that is?—I don't know now; a person named Baker had the management of it.

Was it under him it was improved?—Yes.

How many miles of road does that consist of?—Thirty miles.

And it is very much improved?—Yes.

By what means?—The materials are harder than the gravel. He brings the rag flints and breaks them, but in a different manner from other parts of the road. He has improved it so much, that it does not look the same road at all; I can go now sixteen miles better than I could twelve before.

Do you consider that the horses which travel these roads that have been improved, last longer than formerly?—Yes.