The Sheffield Bridges and Streets Act 1852

[Stuart0742]

Found this in my box of things to read later.

The Sheffield Bridges and Streets Act 1852, seems a bit heavy going, I am sure somebody will understand it and tell us all about it.

Consists of 20 pages, I have scanned them into 5 pdf files to keep below the 2mb limit, also the 1st five pages are in jpeg format as well.

The_Sheffield_Bridges_and_Streets_Act_1852_a.pdf

The_Sheffield_Bridges_and_Streets_Act_1852_b.pdf

The_Sheffield_Bridges_and_Streets_Act_1852_cc.pdf

The_Sheffield_Bridges_and_Streets_Act_1852_d.pdf

The_Sheffield_Bridges_and_Streets_Act_1852_e.pdf

[madannie77]

Insomnia can be useful: this is my summary of the interesting bits of this act.

Much of the act is concerned with definitions, other acts of parliament relevant to the proposed works and the detail of financing the works and colllecting monies owed by the ratepayers. I have highlighted the interesting clauses of the act in bold.

Of note is the use of River Dun throughout.

I. Interpretation of terms

II. construction of terms

III. The short title of the Act "The Sheffield Bridges and Streets Act 1852"

IV. Empowering the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses to carry out the works in the act.

V. Persons executing the act (ie the Corporation) are personally not liable

VI. Provisions regarding other acts in relation to the current act

VII. Power to construct works:

to build a new bridge at or near the Iron Bridge, with

a new street from the south end of this bridge to West Bar Green,

a new street from the north end of the bridge to Bridge Houses

a new street from the north end of Bridge Street to the north-east end of Bowling Green Street

a new street from near the north end of the bridge to Harvest Lane

to build a new bridge at or near the ford near the point where the townships of Sheffield, Brightside Bierlow and Nether Hallam meet, with

an approach road from Neepsend Lane to the bridge

a new street from the south end of the bridge to Penistone Road

to widen Coulston Street and New Hall Street

to alter the level of parts of the following streets:

Cotton Mill Walk

Bridge Street

Steam Street

Bower Street

Water Street

Steelhouse Lane

Spring Street

New Hall Street

Bridge Houses

Neepsend Lane

Snighill (written this way in the act)

Nursery Street

VIII. all work to be carried out according to deposited plans and sections, and a book of reference with details of owners, lessees and occupiers of lands through which works are planned to be kept.

no deviation of more than three feet from the plans and sections to be allowed, except between the south end of the first bridge to West Bar Green and the new road between Bridge Street and Bowling Green Street where no deviation at all from the plans is allowed without the consent of the Soho Steam Grinding Wheel Company.

IX. All persons concerned have a right to have errors and omissions in the book of reference amended.

X. The books, plans and sectrions to be kept by the Town Clerk and available for inspection, at a fee of 1 shilling per hour. Copying of details to be charged at 6d per 100 words.

XI. true copies of the books, plans & sections can be allowed as evidence in all Courts of Justice if so required.

XII. The council has the right to deposit materials on lands to be worked upon, and to build temporary buildings, and will minimise damage and recompense owners etc for any damage caused.

XIII. as soon as completed, the new bridges and streets shall be declared open as highways for public use by posting of notices, and the council shall ensure that they are paved, cleaned, lighted, qwatched, kept in repair and regulated as all other highways in the Borough.

XIV.The expense of the works to be met by levying a rate, to be known as "The Bridge Rate", on all occupiers or owners of buildings and land in the borough, the rate not to exceed 3d in the pound annually on the value of the land.

XV. provisions of other acts with regard to the rate levy.

XVI. a duty to keep a correct record of the payment of the rate

XVII.

land used as arable, meadow, pasture ground, woodlands, market gardens and nursery grounds will have the rate levied at one fourth part of the annual value

land covered with water, or used as a canal or a canal towing path, or as a railway constructed for public conveyance will have the rate levied at one fourth part of the annual value.

XVIII. to allow remittance of the rate for one year only due to poverty or sickness of the liable person

XIX. the rate can include the costs incurred in collecting the rate

XX. no rate to be levied on the following:

any church, chapel, meeting house, place of public worship or place licensed for religious worship

any almshouse or hospital

any building used solely for the purpose of public charity or gratuitous education of the poor

any building used for the encouragement or promotion of art, science or education

any workhouse

XXI. property belonging to the corporation will be exempt from the rate.

XXII - XXVII. Regarding various legal aspects of the act and recovery of unpaid rates

XXVIII. the council can borrow a sum not exceeding £31,725 for the works, and this sum will be repaid in full, with any interest accrued, within 30 years.

XXIX - XXXIV. concerning financial aspects of the works

XXXV. the Council can enter into arrangements with land and building owners on or near the works for payments towards the cost of the works

XXXVI - XLIII. concerning financial aspects of the works

XLIV. expenses of preparing and obtaining the act are to paid from the Bridge Rate or the existing Borough Rate, or both.

My reading of this is that the first bridge and road is Corporation Street, and the other road in that section is Alma Street.

The second bridge and road I take to be what is now Rutland Road

I wonder if all these works were carried out at the time, and how much it all actually cost?

Still got insomnia, though!