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expected that the whole of the streets, measuring probably
some eighteen. or twenty miles, were maintained in a
constant state of perfection. Even the main streets were at
times scarcely passable. In describing the formation of
Parliament Street across the site of the "Privy Garden"
and the "Bowling Green," Walford says: "Previously the
only access from Charing Cross to Westminster was by
King Street, a narrow way, muddy and ill-paved, which ran
from the corner of Downing Street to the Abbey. So bad
was King Street, as a thoroughfare, that we are told that
when the King (Geo. I.) went to open Parliament in the
winter, in the early part of the eighteenth century, it was
often found necessary to throw down a supply of fagots in
the ruts in order to allow the royal coach to pass along."
On the constitution of Turnpike Trusts the Vestry
availed themselves of the facilities thereby afforded and
contracted with the Trustees with respect to certain of the
main roads:—
25 June, 1741. Ordered that the present Surveyors of the Highways
Do Contract and agree with the Trustees appointed to
put in execution the Acts of Parliaments for repairing the roads
within the Parishes of Kensington, Chelsea, Fulham, &c., in
the County of Midd" To keep such part of the highways within
this parish as was formally contracted for, in a good and
sufficient repair for the present year for the sum or consideration
of Fifty pounds.
Two years later a similar agreement for seven years was
entered into at £30 per annum.
In 1743 some of the streets were paved under the immediate
direction of the Vestry—probably by pauper
labour.
October 14, 1743. Ordered that Fourteen ton of Ragg stones (they
being offered very cheap) be purchased.
Any notice of the proceedings of the Vestry in reference
to the highways of the parish would be incomplete without
an allusion to "the New Bridge at Westminster." So ample
is the information upon this subject, which was watched
with great public interest at the time, that a chapter might