[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 13 Dec 1823 - New Roads (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 13 Dec 1823   (p. 2, col. 4-6)

 

WE are enabled to lay before our readers the following important communications from Mr. M'ADAM to Mr. LOCKER, Secretary to
Greenwich Hospital, on the subject of the intended new roads in the Counties of Cumberland and Northumberland: they contain many
encouraging statements; and we trust the project will not be suffered to languish by those who have the power of conducting it to
its desired termination. Mr. M'ADAM forcibly points out the advantages of a better communication in the district referred to; but
how much would the facilities of commerce of all kinds be increased by a continuation of the Carlisle Canal to Newcastle? As one
improvement generally leads to another, we hope that the Northumberland Noblemen and Gentlemen will arouse themselves and exhibit
their wonted spirit of enterprise and liberality: we are sure that they will be well seconded in Cumberland. 

 

(COPY.) 

                                                                                           Aldstone Moor, 29th July, 1823. 

 

On inspection of the several Roads to which my attention was directed by you, I find them in a most deplorable state, both as
regards the lines and the surface. The same may be observed of all the roads in this part of the country, the want of management
being apparent throughout. The lines of road have been so improperly carried, that in many places the rise is one in seven, and in
several parts one in five. 

 

With respect to the construction of the roads, they are altogether the worst that have yet come to my knowledge: not only have the
old defective methods been followed in the formation, stoning, and subsequent repairs of the roads, but the work has been executed
in the most slovenly careless manner, without method, and regardless of expense. No pains having been taken to preserve the roads
from the Winter floods, by keeping open the waterways, they are washed out so as to present the appearance of a bed of rocks, rather
than an artificial road. Under such circumstances it must be obvious that the traffic required by the commerce and agriculture of
the district must be carried on with difficulty and a great expence. In the circle of which Aldstone is the centre, having a
diameter of about thirty-six miles, all the articles produced in the country, and requiring transport, are of a heavy description,
viz: lead and lead ore, coal, lime, timber, stone. And the distances to be travelled are considerable, the rate carriage [sic] as
present is high, yet the persons employed are very inadequately paid—such are the difficulties arising from the condition of the
roads. 

 

The quantity of lead and lead ore carried upon the roads within the circle under consideration, may be computed at 14,000 tons
annually; of coal, perhaps 3,000 tons; timber and other heavy commodities, 3,000 tons, making an aggregate of 20,000 tons per annum.
Supposing the average distance carried to be only ten miles, and that the improvement of the roads to lower the price of carriage at
the very moderate rate of three-pence per ton per mile, the direct saving would be £2,500 per annum. The indirect saving of expense
of carriage of provisions, and other lighter commodities, and the facilities to be given to the agricultural and other interests of
the country are not so easily estimated, but may be supposed to be of much consequence, because the situation of the mines in a very
high country has collected an extra population of six thousand persons dependent for a supply of provisions on a lower country,
distant from twenty to thirty miles, and because lime is much and very usefully employed in the agriculture of the country for the
grass lands required for the maintenance of a great number of horses employed in the transport. 

 

In addition to all the advantages belonging particularly to the domestic economy of the circle, good roads will open communications
from south to north, and from east to west, through a country in the centre of the kingdom, which in its present state forms a
barrier to all improvement, by which the traffic will be much increased, and the toll revenues consequently improved. 

 

On the road from Hexham to Penrith the greatest impediments are Cupola Bank, Whitfield Fell, and Hartside Fell. The road over Cupola
Bank may be made at a rise of one foot in twenty-seven, without an increase of distance beyond half a mile, which will probably be
regained soon after the ascent is attained. Whitfield Fell may be crossed at a rise of one foot in twenty-six on the eastern side,
and on the western side about one foot in twenty-one to Clargill, and from thence to the summit one foot in twenty-eight. Hartside
Fell may be crossed at a rise of one foot in thirty from Aldstone to the summit, and at one foot in twenty from Melmerby to the
summit. All the other parts of this road may be so much improved, as to be considered nearly level. 

 

The road of communication to Nent Head, which branches from this road, at or near Clargill, may be greatly improved, so as no part
of it may rise more than one foot in twenty-three, and will be much shorter than the present defective line; this road is important,
as being the communication with the coal mines, from which Aldstone and the lead district, in Nentwater, are principally supplied. 

 

Should the roads from Hexham to Penrith and from Burtryford to Burnstones be consolidated, and the branches added from Hudgill Burn
to Clargill, from Aldstone to Penrith, from Langley Mills to Haydon-bridge, from Langley Mills by West Boat and Tower Tye to
Bellingham, the whole road in the New Trust will be about seventy-five miles, of which fifty miles must be made over new ground, and
twenty-five miles of old road improved. 

 

The expense, including bridges and the purchase of land, fencing, &c. will be about £20,000. 

 

The tolls at present levied on these roads amount to about £1,500 per annum, and the additional tolls that may be levied on the
road, to be added, may be safely estimated at £1,700, making an income of £3,200. The future expenditure for repairs, allowing for
statute labour, to be performed, and including Surveyor's salaries, will be about £1,775; Interest of debt £1,000; total 2,775;
income as above £3,200; surplus £425. 

 

I have the utmost confidence that there will be a material increase of the tolls, as soon as the roads are put into a proper state
of repair, whereby the communications will be facilitated, and much intercourse promoted through this country. 

 

                        I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, 

                                                                                               (Signed) J. L. M'ADAM. 

To E. H. LOCKER, Esq., Secretary to 

       Greenwich Hospital. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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