Roadsides 75 



Hill to Besselsleigh for Faringdon and the^est, with gradients ranging i in 20 

 and i in 15. Such hill-tracks leave little trace, except as a foot-path still in 

 use, and marked on the Ordnance Map. In some cases the surface-stream 

 culverts are still covered by large blocks of stone, showing former care in their 

 maintenance. 1 



All such old tracts revert to grassland when not used; with further 

 regression to thorn-scrub, and regressive woodland on the sides, or where 

 wholly neglected; thus carrying a general woodland flora, 2 and deteriorating 

 again to the waste from which they were originally isolated. 



As opposed to these local and older tracks, main roads came in with the 

 increase of transport and the demands of wheeled traffic in the seventeenth and 

 eighteenth centuries. With no pretence at road-making, it took 2 days to get 

 to London (50 miles); and a fast coach to do it (D.V.) in one day was put on 

 as a novel departure in 1667. 'Turnpike' Acts (1662-1763) gave local 

 authorities power to collect tolls towards the upkeep, and improvements began 

 in the main roads. By utilizing local sands and gravels, the clay-problem was 

 largely solved, and fairly good gravelled primary roads, between the larger 

 towns, were in existence at the beginning of the nineteenth century. But little 

 could be done until the construction of a properly metalled road had been 

 taught by Telford and Macadam. The former advocated a pitched stone 

 foundation in the French (Roman) method ; the latter thorough draining and 

 an impervious surface. A combination of these methods is preferable on a clay 

 bottom. 3 Gradients were also reduced, with an approximation to i in 30 

 for horse-traffic, and new roads were cut; e.g. Headington Hill cut down, 

 with a route avoiding Shotover for a new London Road ; the Eynsham Road 

 passing south of Wytham Hill, and the West Road to Besselsleigh passing north 

 of Cumnor Hurst. Hinksey Hill, which appears to be unavoidable (maximum 

 gradient i in 10), is not a primary route. At the same time it may be noted 

 that a steep road down-hill to a market-town is less disturbing to market carts 

 going home empty, than may at first appear. The ' Botley Causeway ', crossing 

 6-7 streams by 7 bridges (Seven Bridges Road), had been made in i77 J > 

 as a new entrance to the town (avoiding Ferry Hinksey), and the ' New 

 Road '(1766). 



These roads followed the general dimensions allotted to older cattle-tracks, 

 and were metalled down the centre for a width of 16 ft. or a width sufficient to 

 let two vehicles pass, or only 24 ft. in a 60 ft. road, leaving grassy residual 

 tracts on either side of 6-7 to 10-12 ft. in 30-40 ft. ways. 4 These side spaces 

 are maintained as beneficial from the standpoint of admitting sun and air to 

 the road-surface, as also affording space for a drainage ditch, channels and 

 outlets, as well as convenient dumping-ground for road-scrapings and mending- 

 material. Only in the immediate vicinity of towns are they further developed 

 as foot-paths. In more important roads such tracts tend to disappear, as more 

 accommodation is wanted for wheeled traffic, and tar-macadam is now taken 

 up to the hedge-line. In the more general case, these grassy sides, blocked 

 by heaps of material, or cut by cross channels, are of little use for foot- 

 passengers, and they are allowed to revert to grass or anything that will 

 cover their unsightliness. With complete neglect, they pass through all the 



1 Cf. the Besselsleigh path between Hen Wood and Cumnor Hurst, and the 'Ridings' from 

 Headington to Horspalh. 



2 Copse Lane ', Marston ; ' The Ridings ', Open Brasenose ; Blackberry Lane ' section of the 

 Roman Road. 



3 Cf. new loop road at Iffley Turn (1922). 



4 Such roadside wastes along public roads also express the last relics of ' common land', from 

 which cottagers collect dead sticks, cut fodder, or pasture cattle (under supervision) as they are the 

 last resort of the wandering botanist and gipsy. Ancient common grazing land and open waste 

 presupposed cattle-herds. With increasing traffic, and public roads passing over commons, further 

 attention was required to prevent accidents and straying. 



Interesting survivals of the ancient profession of minder ', usually relegated to a small boy, 

 cripple, or the oldest inhabitant, may be still encouraged at Binsey, Medley, and Godstow, at tow- 

 path gates. 



