Bad Roads
Information
1857: The Editor, Peterborough Advertiser:
Sir - The accident of Wednesday evening (6 May) having terminated fatally will, it is hoped, open the eyes of all parties connected with the direction and repairing of roads in this city. Broad Bridge Street has been newly paved; if Narrow Bridge Street had been served ditto, in all probability this lamentable accident would not have happened; but we need not be surprised to hear of accidents where roads are made as in Peterborough. Why not imitate the examples of large towns where, if granite blocks are to be laid, the ground for the intended road is first covered with a layer of concrete which makes a firm and durable foundation? Upon this the stones are placed, not straight across but in diagonal rows, thus affording safe footing for horses. One would suppose that at Peterborough they are ignorant of the existence of such a material as concrete, and of the manner of arranging stones in road making, for the bottoming used in Broad Bridge Street was only sand, and the stones placed as in London 16 years ago. The word improvement can hardly be applied to the Commissioners of a town where no such thing ever takes place. I am, Sir, yours in sincerity, CORVUS
Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.