Great West Road

Road improvement schemes have figured largely in the plans of past Governments for relief of the unemployed. Only last year, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Snowden earmarked $25,000,000 for road building.

Recently his Majesty the King opened a section of the Great West Road, commonly called the Bath road, which runs from London to Bath. A fine stretch of road already joins Bath to Bristol and a further stretch of improved road is to connect Bristol with Exeter and Plymouth.

The foundation of the Great West Road is of 12 in. of stone or other hard substance, on which is placed 9 in. of cement and a wearing surface of 2 in. of rock asphalt. It is 120 ft. wide for most of its length and a space of approximately 25 ft. has been left for future widening. Footpaths run at either side and planting of trees 60 ft. apart has begun.

According to the provisions of the parliamentary act under which the road was built, it may not be broken up by electric, gas or water companies, or the post office authorities for underground telegraph and telephone cables.