Thomas Bridgman, Esquire, called in; and Examined.
Are you a commissioner upon the Cheshunt trust?—I am.
Having heard the evidence of the two last witnesses does your judgment in all respects confirm the testimony which they have given, in regard to the improvement which has taken place upon your roads, and the advantages derived from them?—Most assuredly. I have witnessed these roads for more than twenty years, in a variety of forms as a commissioner. I have observed, the failure of two or three different sets of coachmen and coach concerns down below, all of whom are now saying, that if this system continues they shall require a horse less. All these parties were originally much prejudiced against the new system.
John Martin Cripps, Esquire, called in; and Examined.
You are a magistrate of the county of Surrey, and commissioner of the roads upon the Epsom trust?—I am.
Can you inform the Committee what was the state of the roads within your trust, previous to the year 1818?—They were very bad, having no attention paid to the formation of the road; having the water, in many places, going over the road; and great inattention paid to the breaking of the materials, and to the expense attending the carting of them.
At what time did you commence the alteration in the system of management?—At the latter end of December 1817, when the roads were put under the superintendence of Mr. M'Adam, senior, and when his son commenced the management.
What alterations have since taken place in the state of the roads?—By a newer formation of the road; the materials
