London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Bethnal Green 1881

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]

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19
developed, and the idea of paving the footpaths was not then entertained.
A question has been raised as to whether notwithstanding
what took place the road did not remain a "New Street," and the
'•Owners" liable for the cost of paving, although the Vestry had for
twenty-two years taken to the road and the dealings with the various
properties in the road been upon the understanding that the road had
been absolutely taken to by the Vestry. The owners and the Commissioners
of Woods and Forests objected to the road being treated as
a "New Road," contending it had been absolutely taken to. The
ground on one side forming part of Yictoria Park, and the Crown
being exempt from any liability, would have thrown the entire cost
upon the owners of property on the other side. The question was
fully considered, and it was ultimately arranged that if the owners
would pay £5 per house for paving the footway abutting on the houses,
the Yestry would repair the road and gravel the footpath on the park
side. An application has been made to the Office of Works for a
grant in respect of the path on the park side, much of the repairs to
which had been rendered necessary by work done by the Office of
Woods in connection with the park fencing.
RAILWAY BRIDGE, BRICK LANE.
The Railway Company, requiring to alter the bridge on the south
6ide, submitted a plan showing the proposed alteration and for improving
the appearance of that side of the bridge, and asked the Yestry to
consent to the proposed alteration being made. The Whitechapel
Board of Works being as much interested in the matter as the Yestry,
the Works Committee arranged to meet a Committee of the Whitechapel
District Board of Works and to consider the application. The
joint Committee visited the bridge twice. A deputation from the
inhabitants of Brick-lane and its vicinity attended the Yestry to urge
the desirability of having the arched portion of the bridge altered so
as to have the railway carried over entirely by girders. A deputation
from the Works Committee and a deputation from the Whitechapel
Board of Works attended by appointment the Chairman of the Railway
Company. The result of the interview was a consent by the Chairman to
convert the arch into a girder bridge of 40 feet span throughout, with
a heading of not less than 14 feet, and as much more as the inclination