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SOUTHWARK TO DEPTFORD TURNPIKE ACTS, 1811-12.

Synopsis

An act for making and maintaining a road from the kent road, in the county of surrey, to deptford, in the county of kent; and a branch therefrom, to horsleydown, in the county of surrey. [1st july 1811.]. bound with, an act for amending an act of his present majesty for making a road from the kent road in the county of surrey, to deptford in the county of kent, and a branch therefrom to horsleydown, in the said county of surrey. [18th july 1812.].

Item Description

Folio. 8 x 12.75 inches. 1811, [4929], 4930-5000; 1812, [4437], 4438-4444. Illustrated with royal arms at head of titles.

Notes

The purpose of the 1811 Act was to 'open a shorter and better Communication...between the Cities of London and Westminster and the Borough of Southwark, and the Lower Town of Deptford...' Traffic to Dover passed along Borough High Street, Church Street and into the Kent Road, now renamed Tabard Street. The branch to Horsleydown improved the road system south of the Surrey bank It amends various earlier acts which altered the road system in this area and allows for the compulsory acquisition of land required for the improvements and for compensation. The Act nominates trustees and provides detailed regulations for the administration of the toll collecting, including a surcharge on overweight vehicles, rules controlling the passage of night soil, the appointment of watchmen, patrols and night constables and the provision of hackney coach stands. A ten page schedule, annexed to the Act, lists the owners and addresses of all properties along the route of the proposed turnpikes. A wide range of further provisions in the amending Act of 1812, include a prohibition on the taking of gravel from the River Thames. A detailed source for the early nineteenth century road system of Southwark and Deptford.