IO2 History oif Inland Transport 



economy." Many new roads were then being constructed in 

 Scotland, and he himself became a commissioner of roads in 

 that country. He also began a systematic course of travel over 

 the roads of England and Scotland, covering, by 1814, no 

 fewer than 30,000 miles. 



In 1810 Me Adam commenced a series of experiments in the 

 construction of roads, and he published the following year some 

 " Observations on the Highways of the Kingdom," recording 

 the opinions he had formed as the result of his twenty-seven 

 years' inquiries. 



By this time the question had, indeed, become acute. The 

 prosperity of the country had undergone much expansion, 

 but the improvement of the roads, notwithstanding the 

 extension of the turnpike system, had in no way kept pace 

 with the general progress and the growing needs of the nation. 

 Parliamentary Committees were still devoting close attention 

 to that good old stock subject, the width of cart-wheels. In 

 1806 there was a Select Committee appointed " to take into 

 consideration the Acts now in force regarding the use of 

 Broad Wheels, and to examine what shape is best calculated 

 for ease of draught and the Preservation of the roads." This 

 Committee presented two reports, and like Committees 

 were appointed in the Sessions of 1808 and 1809, each of these 

 Committees making three reports. What Parliament itself was 

 doing at this period in the way of cart-wheel legislation has 

 already been told. 



So there was abundant scope for the activities of someone 

 who could offer new ideas, and when, in 1811, a Select Com- 

 mittee was appointed " to take into consideration the Acts in 

 force regarding the Highways and Turnpike Roads in England 

 and Wales, and the expediency of additional regulations as 

 to the better repair and preservation thereof," x Me Adam 

 came forward with his proposals, as contained in the aforesaid 

 " Observations " presented by him to the Committee in 

 question. 



1 Similar Committees were, also, appointed in 1819, 1820, and 1821. 

 In the report it eventually issued, the Committee of 1811 said : " By the 

 improvement of our roads, every branch of our agricultural, commercial 

 and manufacturing industry would be materially benefitted. Every article 

 brought to market would be diminished in price ; the number of horses 

 would be so much reduced, that by these and other retrenchments, the 

 expense of five millions would be annually saved to the public." 



