BACK TO THE ROAD. IMPROVED HIGHWAYS.

AIDS TO TRAVEL.

In connection with the recent Chess Congress held at Bromley, a player experienced a checkmate at the fourth move. The game was played on a motor-cycle run, and the explanation of its speedy termination was that the cycle of the loser encountered a bump when he was making his second move, and jerked a pawn a square farther than it was intended to occupy. A close examination of the story would probably spoil it, but there are few users of the road who are not familiar with certain forms of oscillation experienced on thoroughfares in different country districts. Some are terrible to contemplate. The Devonshire bump, for instance, lingers in the memory until obliterated by pleasant recollections of hospitality and clotted cream. There are parts of beautiful Kent, also, that have a peculiar bump; indeed, it would be difficult to find a county without a road capable of affecting the nervous system.

But experts state that the days of smoother running on the great highways are rapidly approaching – when the motorist shall no longer suffer a jar to his spinal column, and when clouds of dust shall not impair the pleasures of the pedestrian and mar the amenities of the countryside. The Ministry of Transport is understood to be moving; and not only is there “something doing” in Whitehall, but it is stated that local authorities who, in the past, have been conservative in matters concerning road construction are now anxious to improve their highways. The question of finance, however, presents a difficult problem.

The cost per head of the population for road maintenance in England and Wales in 1914-15 was 9s 9d; it is estimated that it will be 131 per cent higher for 1920-21. The Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech made it fairly clear upon whom a large portion of the financial burden will fall in the future. But users of the roads will not begrudge a fair contribution towards the cost of their upkeep if the highways are rendered suitable to meet modern requirements. With new forms of transport, and the increasing use of the roads for commercial purposes, the question is urgent; and the fact that during the war thoroughfares had to be neglected, and at the same time were called upon to bear excessive traffic for war service, increases its urgency. The progress of the work of improvement is unfortunately slow, and this is stated to be due to some extent to a difficulty in obtaining materials.

One encouraging feature lies in the new ideas concerning highway construction in rural areas. There is a growing appreciation of the demands of modern traffic. Stretches of road may now be reached capable of withstanding the strain of heavy vehicles and at the same time contributing to easy movement. This experience is so rare, and the joy in consequence so great, that it is not surprising that the law in regard to speed is apt to be forgotten. These improved conditions on country roads are no doubt largely due to the adoption of bituminous materials. Asphalte is being more extensively used, and it is a hopeful sign when highway authorities begin to realise that the days of water-bound macadam are passed. Bitumen, on the ground of economy combined with efficiency, will probably become increasingly popular. Owing, probably, to the greatly enhanced cost of wood blocks, bituminous paving in different forms has been successfully introduced into some of the most important thoroughfares of London, where if carries the heaviest traffic and affords a smooth and durable surface.