What have been the materials that have been used?—The materials that have been used are flints chiefly.
During the state of improvement of these roads, have the tolls been increased or reduced within your trust?—At our last meeting, we agreed, that at the next letting, the tolls should be reduced from May next, for the benefit of agriculture in general; and that where two shillings and eight-pence is now paid, they will have now to pay one shilling; that with relation to the agricultural interest, will be a reduction of twenty five pounds per mile.
Within your own personal observation, have you known any other instance in which a road has been formed upon the same principles as those adopted by Mr. M'Adam?—I had an opportunity of observing in Sweden that the roads were more beautiful than any I ever beheld; they are formed in the same manner as by Mr. M'Adam, the materials broken extremely small. The material is the best in the world, as it is rocks of Granite; and so well do they understand the necessity of breaking them small, that you never behold throughout Sweden, a fragment of granite larger than the size of a walnut, for the purposes of the roads.
What is the shape of these roads?—To the eye they appear perfectly flat; but upon trial by the spirit level, there is a slight degree of convexity.
William Dowdeswell, Esquire, called in; and Examined.
You are a commissioner upon the Epsom trust?—I am.
How long have you been a commissioner?—About four or five years.
Have you had any opportunity of observing the comparative state of the roads since they were put under the care of Mr. M'Adam, compared with that in which they were
