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53
RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY BILLS IN PARLIAMENT.
(a). GREAT NORTHERN AND CITY RAILWAY BILL.
On the 2nd November, 1891, notices, plans and books of reference were
deposited at my office, in connection with a Bill promoted in Parliament by the
Great Northern and City Railway, for powers to construct an Underground Elcctric
Railway, between the City, near Cripplegate, and Finsbury Park, which it was
proposed should pass through this Parish under the City Road, East Road and New
North Road. Negotiations for clauses protecting the interests of the Yestry were
opened with the Parliamentary Solicitors and Agents for the Bill, but it was found
necessary to lodge a lengthy petition to be heard by Counsel for the purpose of
obtaining the desired clauses, and compensation for wayleave under the public
highways, and the questions raised were so important that Messrs. Sharpe, Parker
& Co., were instructed to act as the Vestry's Parliamentary Agents. It was referred
by Parliament to a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament to consider the
conditions under which this and several other proposed Electric Railways should be
allowed to be constructed, and this Committee, after hearing evidence, decided that
such railways ought to be allowed to pass under public highways free, without
paying compensation or wayleave to the local authorities, in consideration of special
facilities being provided by them for the conveyance of the working classes. After
further negotiations with the Company's Agents, when the Bill came before a
Committee of the Commons, the following clauses were agreed to be inserted by the
Company in their Bill :—
1. A clause compelling the Company to repair and make good all damage
done to any road used by tliem under a penalty of £5 per day.
This clause is intended to meet surface damage caused by the carting away of
excavations, as there is already a clause in the Bill providing that the surface of
roads should not be broken up by the Company.
2. A clause that the Company should not take more than 10 houses
occupied by the labouring classes and consequently all regulations
for re-housing persons displaced are unnecessary and have been
struck out of the bill.
3. Certain alterations to clause 48 of the Bill, which provides for the
protection of the Vestry's sewers, making the Company responsible
for re-constructing sewers and paying the Vestry's cost for superintending
the execution of the works, and other expenses incurred
by the Vestry.
4. A clause prohibiting placards and advertisements in view of any
public street.
5. A clause making the Company liable to pay all deficiencies of rates
in respect of property taken by them.
6. The provision of a Station at the junction of Old Street and City Road.
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