Mr. DAMERsaid, he wished to ask the 375 First Commissioner of Works, Whether it would not be expedient to save expense by opening the road through Kensington Gardens from Bayswater to the Iron Gates in Rotten Row, nearly opposite the Exhibition building of 1862, to carriages, as it was to equestrians during the period of the Exhibition of 1851?
MR.COWPERsaid, that very often inconsiderate attempts at economy led to extravagance, and he was afraid that in this instance the economy would not be as great as the hon. Member supposed. The gravel walk to which the hon. Member alluded was a walk only made for the use of pedestrians. It would not bear the wear and tear of carriages during the five months of the Exhibition, and it would cost as much to make a sufficient road for those five months as for a longer period. Therefore, he believed that there would be economy in combining a temporary road with the permanent communication required for access to the Horticultural Gardens and the buildings on the Gore House Estate.
§ Afterwards,—
§ Lord FERMOYsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether any plan has been adopted for the formation of the Road to connect Bays-water with Kensington; and, if so, whether it will pass through Kensington Gardens or take the line approved of by the Metropolitan Board of Works, avoiding Kensington Gardens and not materially interfering with Hyde Park. He should also like to know whether, as the cost of the road is to be defrayed out of the Coal Tax, the right hon. Gentleman does not think that it would be fair to leave the expenditure of the money in the hands of the Metropolitan Board, who are the representatives of the ratepayers?
Mr. COWPERsaid, the plan that would be adopted would cross Kensington Gardens. The route that he understood his noble Friend to refer to would require the Serpentine to be crossed. There were three ways in which that crossing could be effected. One was by means of a tunnel under the river, another was the erection of a new bridge, and a third was the widening of the existing bridge. Either of these three operations would involve so great a delay that the road could not possibly be ready until the Exhibition had closed. It would besides involve an expense which the funds which were intended to be appropriated to the purpose 376 would not bear. With regard to the second portion of the question, he (Mr. Cowper) thought he had better defer his reply until he moved for leave to bring in the Bill of which he had given notice.