Road Improvement - MOT00436

Road paving, 1911 - The operation of motor buses by the Corporation helped to bring about improvements in the surfacing and repair of local roads. The increasing presence of motor transport in the late 1900s was responsible for the disintegration of the surface of the roads, particularly in wet weather. The Motor Bus Committee paid out substantial amounts of compensation to people who had clothing splashed with mud thrown up by the bus wheels (and to people whose dogs or hens had been killed while scavenging on the dusty surfaces). In 1910, the Council embarked on a programme of street improvements including the paving, with granite setts, of the main approach roads. The first tender was let to local contractor Benjamin Lumb for the length between the gas works, Millwood, and the Town Hall. The length between Gauxholme and Ewood Lane was begun in May 1911, the contractors being Riley Bros. & Hartley. In this picture, the work is being carried out at Waterside (near the present entrance to Safeway's). One of Caleb Hoyle's wagons can be seen carrying empty skips to his mill at Walsden.

Unknown

Todmorden Information Centre Trust

1911, 1910s

PHDA - Todmorden Information Centre Trust

Pennine Horizons Digital Archive

MOT00436.tif