§ Mr. Sumnerpresented petitions from certain Trustees of Roads in Kent and Surrey against the Metropolis Roads bill. The hon. member hoped that the bill would be read a second time, printed, and allowed to stand over to next session.
Mr. Davies Gilbert, in alluding to the matter of the petitions took occasion to offer a few remarks upon the subject of turnpike-roads generally. Every hon. gentleman must be aware of the national importance of a good and perfect system for the regulation and management of roads. When he mentioned that, in the instance now more immediately before the House, an extent of no less than 136,000 acres was appropriated entirely for public roads, they would at once see how highly desirable it was that their construction and arrangement should be con- 124 ducted upon the most scientific principles, whether they considered the surface which was so to be prepared, or the immense expense of its preparation. Upwards of 1,500,000l. were annually collected for the repairs of turnpike-roads, by the trusts; and about 1,500,000l. more from the towns and villages of the country; in all 3,000,000. It was about 100 years ago since the present system of turnpike-roads was first introduced; and the improvement in consequence was one which was perfectly marvellous. That system was founded on the equitable principle of making those who most used the roads pay for their repairs. The hon. gentleman observed, that the roads round London, as every one must have remarked, were, from the inefficiency of the small trusts for their proper management, the very worst in the kingdom. It was his wish to see the roads altogether put under the direction and management of certain commissioners [here he read some of those names which he intended to propose]; and he meant at the earliest possible period of the next session to bring in a general highway act of that nature. He entirely disclaimed any aspersions upon the character of those who held the small trusts; and alluded only to the contraction of their means.
§ Sir M. W. Ridleywished to know, whether the committee intended to propose any remedy of the grievance which was felt in the renewal of turnpike trusts, even for a limited period. The expense of such a proceeding amounted at present to 112l. in that House, and when the bill got into an office belonging to another place, the applicants were obliged to make the clauses of a certain length—he would leave it to the House to judge for what purpose [Hear!]. If no measure of the kind was proposed by the committee, he would introduce a motion on the subject early in the next session.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.