Читать книгу Remarks on the Present System of Road Making - John Loudon McAdam - Страница 6

Table of Contents

The care of the Turnpike Roads has been committed by Parliament, into the hands of Commissioners, selected from that class of society, most capable of executing the duties of superintendance, and from their station most likely to perform the duty with fidelity; in this respect the expectations of the public has not been disappointed; and there can be but one opinion, upon the obligations the country owes to this very respectable part of the community. Perhaps the only useful regulation wanted, in respect to Commissioners, would be to confine the qualification of Trustees to landed property.

The superintending and controuling power, so wisely placed by Parliament in the Commissioners, has not, however, been sufficient to secure all the objects of the Legislature. A scientific, laborious, executive power is wanting; and no means having been thought of for this part of the service, it has been altogether neglected, or at best very unprofitably supplied by a set of Surveyors, altogether ignorant of the duties of the office they were called upon to fill.^[5]

5. The general laws relating to highways seem sufficiently calculated to answer the purpose intended by them, if Overseers were qualified with a sufficient degree of judgment to execute them properly, and of industry and spirit to do it effectually.

Homer’s Enquiry, Page 18.

General superintendance and gratuitous services, such as the law contemplated to receive from the Commissioners of Turnpikes, may be obtained, and have been faithfully and conscientiously given by the Commissioners; but that constant and laborious attention, requisite to superintend the executive duties of a turnpike trust, cannot reasonably be expected from gentlemen engaged in other pursuits. Were they to undertake the task, it must be subject to all the interruptions of their private affairs, or other occupations; and this alone would render their services nugatory. Some instances of individual zeal and exertion, on the part of Commissioners, in particular parts of the country, have served to show what benefit might be derived from providing each county with an executive officer, whose sole attention should be given to the business; whose services should be amply remunerated, and of whom the Commissioners might of right demand an account of the manner in which their orders were carried into execution; who should examine and audit the accounts of the Sub-surveyors; compare them with the work performed, and certify them, if approved, to the Treasurers.

In a trust of any extent, say about 150 miles of road, the time of such an officer would be very fully employed. He must direct the execution of the repairs, and alterations of the road, when ordered by the Commissioners; and he must controul the contracts, and other agreements entered into by the Sub-surveyors, so as to prevent unnecessary expence; he must examine all work performed, to see that it is corresponding with contracts, and generally keep a vigilant superintendance over the persons employed under him. Accounts of all expences incurred should every second week be delivered by the Sub-surveyors into his office in duplicate; after examination, one copy to remain in the office, the other certified, to be sent to the Treasurer, upon which payment may follow.

Much must depend on the selection of the officer to whom this charge is committed; he must have a considerable share of general information respecting country business; the subject of road-making ought to have been well considered by him; his station in society should be such, as to secure to him the support and confidence of the Commissioners, while it commands the obedience and deference of the subordinate officers.

The success of the exertions of individual Commissioners, in particular parts of the country first suggested the opinion, that a better system of road-making might be adopted, and the examples of a better practice extended to all parts of the country; but the benefit can never be rendered thus general, unless accompanied by the zeal and activity that produced it; and this can only be supplied by officers, whose sole duty it shall be, and who will be accountable to the Commissioners under whose orders they act for the execution of the trust confided to them. Gratuitous services are ever temporary and local, they are dependant on the residence, and life of the party; and have always disappointed expectation. Skill and executive labour must be adequately paid for, if expected to be constantly and usefully exerted; and if so exerted, the price is no consideration when compared with the advantage to the public.

From the want of such an officer, the orders of the Commissioners, after having been maturely considered, and wisely given, have fallen, for execution into the hands of Surveyors, selected not unfrequently from the lowest class of the community, who have proceeded without plan or method. The consequence is seen in every corner of the country; want of science in the Surveyor has gone hand in hand with improvident expenditure, to the injury of the roads, and the derangement of the finances. A vigilant and unremitting superintendance is wanting to ensure an economical and effectual execution.

Whether it may not be useful to empower Commissioners in the small Trusts into which the roads of England are unfortunately divided, to unite together in sufficient number to enable them to provide a respectable and efficient executive officer, and for other general purposes of improvement, is humbly submitted to the wisdom of Parliament.

The effect of an active and efficient controul over the Sub-surveyors, in the executive part of their duties; and in rescuing the funds from mis-application and depredation, is exemplified in the measures wisely entered into by the Commissioners for the care of the turnpike roads in the Bristol District, the success of which has amply justified their adoption, the roads having been entirely reformed and put into the best possible state for use, at an expence considerably within the revenue of the Trust. This improved state of the finances has enabled the Commissioners to effect several great permanent improvements, without forgetting the necessary provision for liquidation of the debt, which had accumulated during former years.