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89
by the County Council. After some correspondence that Council
in December, 1902, gave its consent to the widening and agreed
to contribute two-thirds of the nett cost, subject to the contribution
not exceeding the sum of £15,866 and to this Council agreeing
to consent to the construction of a tramway along the portion
of the road to be widened, viz.:—between the police station and
Santos Road. These conditions were accepted by the Borough
Council.
137.—In the meantime the Highways Committee of the
Borough Council had been in communication with the owners of
the property required and on the 29th October, 1902, the Committee
were authorised by the Borough Council to deal with the
claims for compensation. Since that time the acquisition of the
properties has been pressed forward as rapidly as possible. The
negotiations for the purchase of some of the interests were of a
lengthy character but eventually the Council was able to agree
terms with the owners with one exception. In that case it became
necessary to take the matter before a jury as the compensation
finally claimed was more than the Council felt justified in paying
having regard to the advice of the valuers and accountants retained
by the Council. The jury having made their award, which
exceeded the amount offered, the purchase of this interest has also
been completed. Possession of the last property required (Priorsdean
House) was obtained in July last and the necessary arrangements
have been made for this building to be removed. In the
other parts of the road all the fences have been set back and the
paving works executed. These works included the paving with
artificial stone of two new footpaths of adequate width and woodpaving
the carriageway.
138.—The part of West Hill in question forms part of an important
thoroughfare leading out of London and was formerly
owing to its narrowness and steepness dangerous for the large and
increasing traffic passing over it. It has now been made 60 feet in
width and the gradient has been improved. The Borough Council
has pleasure in recording that the undertaking, one of the largest
of its kind carried out by the Council, has now been brought to a
satisfactory conclusion.