Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/212



Mr. John Macneil. 6 September, 1831. which the carriage passes; on such a road as that lately constructed by the Parliamentary Commissioners of the Holyhead and Liverpool Roads, at the Highgate Archway. I have frequently observed Waggons, carrying upwards of six tons, pass over it; the weight of each wheel on the road was then about thirty cwt.; and though the bearing of the wheels; from the cause I have before stated, was not more than three inches, the effect produced was imperceptible; the pressure in this case was ten cwt on every inch which is unquestionably țoo much for the generality of roads; but if we take the road from London to Shrewsbury, as criterion to judge by. I should say that a wheel ought to be an inch: in width for every ton that a Carriage and its load would weigh; and that if every Carriage that now travels that road, was limited not to exceed that proportion, the roads would be better, and maintained at a cheaper rate than at present. According to the average weight of Coaches and Waggons, as before stated. I have calculated the following Table, showing the weight at present carried on each inch of bearing, and what I conceive might be the breadth of the different wheels if they were made cylindrical with an even bearing, and in the proportion of one inch of width for every ton including the Carriage.

State your opinion as to the relative wear of a road by two Carriages, both drawn by four horses, one carriage of two tons weight, with two-inch tires, the other four tons, with four-inch tires?—My opinion is, that the wear of the roads would in each case be the same,