The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-02-03
Motor Roads For England.

nAptOt AtDauS IOi EnSfhtus
1t would appear that the English
men are contemplating the construc-
tion of a series of highways exclusive
ly for the use of automobiles in an
effort to prevent the wearing away OF
their present crushed stone roads
from excessive automobile traffic.
The plans, as outlined in bill that
has been introduced in the British
Parliament, provide for the construc-
tion of a number of these exclusive
motoring highways on an even more
ambitious scale than that of the men
interested in the Long Island Motor
Parkway project.
Consul-General John L. Griffiths, of
London, in report sent to the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor.
says II the bill becomes a law it will
have very far reaching effects. He
writes concerning 1t as follows:
While the bill provides for the de-
velopment of forestry, agriculture and
rural industries, the reclamation and
drainage of land, the construction and
Improvement of harbors and canals,
the development and improvement of
fisheries, and for any other purpose
calculated to promote the economic
development of the United Kingdom,
1t is the portion which relates to road
Improvement that Is attracting the
most attention. This is the out
growth of very general feeling that
some action must be taken with ref
erence to the very rapidly increasing
motor traffic. The most travelled
country roads are being badly cut up
by the great number of motor cars
which pass over them at high rate
of speed, the value of adjoining prop
erty is often appreciably lessened, the
comfort and convenience of pedes-
trians and those using other means of
locomotion are seriously interfered
with and their safety often endan.
gered.
THE development bill, if it passes
into law and is carried out in the
spirit which prompted it, will tend to
solve some of the present day motor
traffic problems. The road improve
ments referred to relate wholly to
the building of special roads for the
use of motor cars. The management
and control of these roads will be
vested in small board of five or
seven members, only one of whom,
either the chairman or vice-chairman,
would receive salary The board is
to have power to construct new roads
entirely on its own initiative or indi-
rectly through the existing highway
authorities, who will be induced to
act through grants and loans made
upon condition that they will under
take to build new roads or to i'm
prove established highways with di-
rect reference to motor car traffic.
ANY road that is constructed by the
road board will be primarily a road
designed for the use of motor cars,
and the speed limit will be removed
as to such a road The board may
allow the road, nevertheless, to be
used for othAr kinds of traffic If it
deems 1t expedient to do so, and in
that event charge may be made for
such use of the road. Other roads
can only connect with the motor roads
upon permission granted by the road
board.
Compulsory power is given for the
acquisition of land for road purposes,
and power is further granted in rural
districts to acquire land for width of
220 yards on either side of the motor
road. 1t Is believed that through the
exercise of this last named power the
board will derive substantial rev.
enue in the increase in value of said
adjoining land for building purposes.
as we'll as from the amount that will
be paid for the outside use of motor
roads. Expenses of the road board
growing out of the construction of
the motor roads and their mainte-
nance will be betrayed out of spec
tally constituted fund, to which the.
net proceeds of the duties on motor
spirits and on licenses for motor cars
will be carried. In the construction
of the motor roads 1t is provided that
special attention shall be paid to the
labor conditions of the various dis
tricts In which the roads may be built.
and that as far as possible men out
of work will be employed.
"The construction of separate roads
for motorists will doubtless meet with
general favor, because of the urgency
of the situation. though 1t is admitted
that 1t is radical departure to en-
ploy public funds, even in part. for
the use and benefit OF special class.
The answer to this, however, is that
1t is for the benefit of all classes who
are compelled to use highways. which.
of course, is practically the entire
population OF the country.
''It Is proposed that the new motor
roads should avoid. as far as possible,
the small towns and villages; that IL
to say. they should pass around In
stead OF through them, thereby re-
moving the danger which now exists
by reason of a certain class of motor
lists passing through such places with
little regard to the safety OF the in
habitants. New York Sun