[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 13 Dec 1823 - New Roads (2)

[Petra Mitchinson]

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

 

(COPY.) 

                                                                                 Office of Roads, Bristol, 30th Sept., 1823. 

 

SIR,-I beg leave to report to you, for the information of the Directors of Greenwich Hospital, the conclusion of my labours in
laying off and procuring plans of the various roads in the Counties of Cumberland, Northumberland, Durham, and York, connected with
the Manors and Estates of the Hospital. 

 

These roads are comprised in a circle, of which the diameter is about fifty miles, extending from Bellingham in Northumberland, on
the north, to Rokeby Abbey Bridge, in the County of York, on the south; and from Penrith in Cumberland, on the west, to West-boat in
Northumberland, on the east; including several branches, as by a sketch accompanying this will be nore [sic] easily understood. 

 

Copies of the plans of the roads are sent to you with this, for the purpose of shewing the particulars of the proposed improvements
for the information of the Board. 

 

The estimate of expense that accompanies the plans, has been formed upon the supposition of receiving a considerable addition from
the road revenue of tolls and statute labour: the former will be increased by the improvement of the roads, and the consequent
increase of traffic: the latter must be continued for two or three years, while the improvement is in progress. It may reasonably be
expected, that the country will give that aid cheerfully and effectually in consideration of the great advantage to be derived, and
the prospect of an entire abatement of statute labour, in as far as relates to the turnpike roads, and in consideration, that the
improvement of parish roads, with reduced expense, will keep pace with that of the turnpike roads. Agriculture will be relieved from
compulsory statute labour, and the expensive and inefficient remedy of indictments will be no longer resorted to. 

 

In making the estimates, I have also taken into account a reasonable time for accomplishing the whole plan, beginning with removing
the most prominent evils which at present obstruct the communication, and proceeding with the other improvements in the order of
their importance, at the same time getting the old roads put into a good condition. I have likewise calculated entirely upon the
Trustees committing the execution of the whole to the hands of skilful and economical officers, and placing the affairs of the roads
under vigilant and respectable control, by which in future the roads may be kept in good order, and their revenues protected from
waste, fraud, and mismanagement. 

 

It is not easy to enumerate the great advantages which opening the communications of this country will afford to the property; the
various and complicated interests of Greenwich Hospital in the North of England, required that an extended and liberal view should
be taken of their affairs, and of the state of the country in which they are placed: your journey has accomplished that desirable
object, and I must trust much to your communicating to the Directors the many and great advantages to be derived from your labours,
amongst which the amendment of the roads and opening communications are certainly important features, when we consider the quantity
of heavy commodities which are transported to considerable distances by them and their tenants. From the very remote situation of
the mining country (many of the mines being from 1500 to 2000 feet above the level of tide water), it is necessary to connect the
roads of the district with others in every direction, in order to create a traffic of the extent and description that will secure a
toll revenue adequate to the objects in view; viz., payment of interest, creating a sinking-fund, and preserving the roads in a
state of good repair. 

 

The Estates and Manors of Greenwich Hospital in the the Counties of Northumberland and Cumberland, are placed in a mountainous part
of the country, difficult of access, and having at present no other roads than those formed on the old pack horse tracks, and
carried upon lines so inconvenient and steep, as not only to be a great obstruction to the local carriage, but to present a barrier
to all communication with commercial districts on every side. 

 

The heavy commodities produced within the circle described above, are transported at an expense, one third, and in many cases one
half, beyond what they might be carried on good lines of well constructed road. This loss falls particularly heavy on the Hospital
and its tenants: and generally, the value of the whole property is depressed by this impediment to traffic of every kind. A
population of six thousand persons, in the mining district, is supplied with provisions entirely from a lower part of the country,
at present with much difficulty and expense. From the great extent and flourishing condition of the woods and plantations of these
Estates, the transport of their timber to a market is already of consequence, and will be every year of increased importance. 

 

The great impediments that surround and as it were cut off the mining district from the rest of the world, are on the west, Hartside
Fell; on the south, Kilhope Cross, and Yad Moss; on the north, Coal Fell; on  the east, Whitfield Fell and Cupola Bank. The late
survey has shewn that these impediments may be got over, without any increase of distance, by very easy ascents. The steepest rises
will not exceed one foot in twenty, and these are not of any extent. 

 

A branch road has been laid off, into the most extensive mining district in Nent-Water, by which the distance is materially
lessened, and a new road, nearly level, made to communicate with the present turnpike-road. This, with the projected improvements of
Cupola Bank and Whitfield Fell, will open a safe and easy road to Langley Smelting Mills, from whence to Hexham the proposed
alterations will give easy access. Beyond this line it is hoped that the local Trustees will be induced to make the necessary and
very evident improvements on the road from Hexham to Newcastle, which is the port of shipping with which the Estates of the Hospital
communicate. 

 

The enlightened measures adopted by Greenwich Hospital, for the improvement of the roads, deserve the grateful and active
co-operation of the Landed Proprietors of the several counties. It is difficult to estimate the extent, or the advantages of the
impulse thus given to improvement by the exertions of a great public body, actuated by the most enlarged views of sound policy and
concern for the public welfare. 

 

The want of a method of making cheap and durable communications throughout the country, has hitherto prevented the roads from
keeping pace with the advancement of our national prosperity. This is peculiarly observable in these counties, where the roads are
generally the most expensive and the worst in the kingdom. The extent and value of the mines, and the vast quantity of agricultural
produce, are sources of wealth, which are at present kept in check by the want of eligible communication, but which could not fail
of rising to their proper level, were this restraint removed. The Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital, as extensive landed
proprietors, and Lords of a great mining country, have an immense and peculiar interest in the execution of this wise measure. The
new method of constructing good and durable roads, at comparatively small cost, cannot fail of producing extensive benefits in the
Northern Counties, where the large sums expended in making, and the ignorance of those employed in repairing roads, have prevented
the Proprietors fully availing themselves of their natural advantages. This part of the kingdom abounds with the most excellent
materials, procurable at moderate prices; the people are industrious, healthy, and ingenious, and the funds for maintenance of the
roads are ample. Were these powerful means placed under the controul of a respectable executive department, properly supported by
the Commissioners, there can be no doubt of a favourable result. 

 

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

                                                                                       J. L. M'ADAM. 

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

       Greenwich Hospital. 

 

 

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