The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-15 00:00:00

TEE PROPOSED ROAD ACROSS lIYDE-PARK.

The weekly meeting of the Metropolitan Board
of Works wu held yesterday, at the official in Spring•gar•
dens ; Mr. J. THWAITEB in the chair•

Mr. POLLARD, the clerk, read communications from the
district boards of works of St. Mary, Isliogton, and St.
Marytaboo., stating that it was their opinion that the pro-
posed road through Hyde-park was a strict local necessity,
and that, therefore, it would be unjust to appropriate any
portion of the metropolitan rates towards its formation.

Mr. Hughes introduced a deputation from the Board of
Works for the Westminster district, to present a memorial
on the subject, also in opposition to the measure.

A report was brought up from the Covent-garden approach
committee, to whom this question had been referred at the
last board day, submitting plans and estimates for the pro-
posed road, and recommending that Mr. Cowper be informed
that it would, in the opinion of the board, be a great public
convenience during the Exhibition, and to the localities in
its vicinity ; that the board, however, wilh every desire to
meet the views of the First Commissioner and the public,
regret they have no funds at their disposal to effect this
great public improvement ; they will, however, be quite
prepared to make the same if parliament will place at their
disposal funds other than those derived from direct taxation
for metropolitan imprevementa
Mr. Lgoo moved the adoption of the report, which was
seconded by Mr. HUGHES.
Mr. ROBINSON thought they ought to meet this motion by
a decided negative, as the road was for • local and a tempo-
rary purpose. The time of the committee had been occupied
mlooldng over seven different schemes submitted to the go- ,
vernment. Those plans had to a certain extent been con. !
sidered by the committee; but now that which was se-
lected, No. 5, was ignored, and they were told that the
chief ranger would not allow the road to go through Hyde-
park, but through Kensington-gardens which would be a
more expensive road. The other day,when Mr. Fowler, the
engineer' was before the committee, the question was put to
him whether the expedition with which this road would be
formed would not tend to increase the expense, and he at
once said it would do so materially ; and that increased ex-
pense was one 6f the twat important things they would
have to consider. As to the read itself, it was wanted for a
particular purpose, was local in its character, and he did
hope under thaw circumstances that this motion would be
rejected by • large majority.
Mr. Basserr said the question of ways and means for
this road was very fully discussed last week ; but this week
the ease appeared to be altogether altered. It was then
proposed that the road should go through Hyde-park.
they now heard that the ranger of the park would not
allow Hyde.park to be cut thrl. He should move as
an amendment, "That this boards h.
grd to the
privacy of Kensington-gardens, which would rega be seriously
interfered with, could not meat to it, and declined to
any out the scheme now proposed."
Mr. HALL seconded the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN said that it was hardly correct to say that
permission to make the road through Hyde-park was with-
drawn. The ranger said, if there was to be a road acmes
Hyde-park, it would necessitate another bridge across the
Serpentine.
After considerable discussion,
The Cumatiazi, in answer to a question from Mr. BUS-
row, M.P., said he believed that the amendment, not
being opposed to the original motion, was informal and
could not be put.
Mr. Le BUTON then moved as an amendment :—" That
this board is of opinion that a road amass Hyde.park, from
Victorslate to Kensington-gore, would greatly feeding*
the public traffic, and would be an important metropolitan
improvement ; and having considered the various plans
submitted to them by the direction of the first comrn;s-
sioner, approves of the plan No. 5. for forming a new road
along or near the fence of Kensington-gardens, creasing the
bridge over the Serpentine on a level, at the estimated cost
of 27,5261. ' • and this board is prepared to undertake the
making of the road, provided the Treasury should be em-
powered by act of parliament to transfer to this board the
balance of the mad dues which the corporation of the city
of London are about to pay over to the Treasury."
This having been seconded,
After a few words from Mr. SAVAGE,
Yr. Bantrow, hi. P., said he conaidered the road would be
a great improvement, but he was not disposed to effect it
out of the ratepayers pockets.
On the question being put, the amendment was negatived
by • majority of 21 to 11.
The original motion was then put mid carried by a
majoaity of 25 to 7. Some other business was then disposed
of, and the bosrd, adjourned.