Another act of parliament, entitled, 'An Act for making and keeping in Repair a Road or Passage for Horses on the Banks of the River Severn, between a certain Place at Coalbrook Dale, to and above the Welsh Bridge in the town of Shrewsbury, county of Salop, for haling and drawing Vessels along the said River,' was passed in 1809, which appointed Lord Ossuiston, Lord Barnard, Sir John Hill, and a number of other persons, trustees for carrying the purposes of the act into execution, and authorized them to take the following
TOLLS.
| For every Horse passing along the Towing-path, and drawing a Boat, Barge or other Vessel, between Meadow Wharf at Coalbrook Dale and Mardol and Frankwell Quays above the Welsh Bridge at Shrewsbury | 2s per Mile. |
Horses drawing Vessels laden with Corn in the Straw, Muck or Lime for Manure, are exempted from Tolls, as also are Horses returning within Twelve Hours from the Time of Paying Toll, and Vessels haled by Men.
The last act of parliament relating to this river was obtained in 1811, by a number of persons, amongst whom were the Earl of Coventry, the Earl of Essex, Lord Sydney, Lord Somers, Lord Beauchamp, the Bishop of Worcester and the Bishop of Gloucester, who were incorporated by the name of "The Company of Proprietors of the Gloucester and Worcester Horse Towing Path," and is entitled, 'An Act for extending time Horse Towing Path on the Banks of the River Severn, from Worcester Bridge to a certain Place below the city of Gloucester called the Lower Parting, situate at the Corner of Portham Mead, in the county of Gloucester.' By this act the company are empowered to raise amongst themselves the sum of £10,000, in four hundred shares of £25 each; and, if necessary, a further sum of £5,000, either amongst themselves, by the creation of new shares, or by assignment of the tolls, &c. as a security, and they are authorized to receive the following
TOLLS.
| For every Horse or other Beast passing on the Towing-path, and drawing any Boat, Barge or other Vessel on the River | 1s per Mile. |
| For every Distance less than a Mile | 1s. |
Vessels haled by Men exempted from Toll
The immense facilities afforded to the trade of the country by this river, are too well known to require comment. It has its source in the Plynlimmon Mountains, which are 2,463 feet above
