§ MR. D. GRANTasked the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, By what authority a right of user of the "road or public way on Hampstead Heath, leading from Telegraph Hill to Golder's Hill," is reserved to equestrians only, and closed to the general public for vehicular traffic; who is responsible for the condition of the road in question; and, whether he will consider if the road could not be rendered serviceable throughout for all purposes?
§ SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGGI beg to inform the hon. Member that the road to which he refers never was anything but a rough bridle or cart track across the turf at Hampstead Heath, except that portion of it which was utilized by the Board when they made a ride for the use of equestrians. No public right of way for carriages exists across this portion of the heath, and the Board do not consider it would be to the public advantage to allow vehicles generally to be driven over the heath, inasmuch as abundant accommodation is afforded for such traffic by the macadamized public thoroughfares across the heath which already exist. The Board is responsible for keeping the road in question in a fit condition for the use of equestrians.
§ MR. D. GRANTWhat is the hon. Member's view of a fit condition?
§ SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGGI consider a fit condition the condition in which the road is now.