Rights Managed > Historic England > Transport > Road transport
Road resurfacing MOT01_01_20
Filename: mot01_01_20.jpg
Size: 4506 x 3246 (2.3MB)
Date: 23rd August 2021
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Archive
Source: Historic England Archive
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Road resurfacing MOT01_01_20
Lee Road, Blackheath Park, Greenwich, Greater London. An elevator depositing debris into a cart drawn by a horse, during construction work on Lee Road, with workers from the Improved Wood Pavement Company in the background.
The Improved Wood Pavement Company Ltd was registered in 1872, having previously operated as the London Wood Paving Company. The use of wood to pave London streets had began in around the 1840s; new systems were introduced in the 1870s. A major advantage of wooden paving was that it produced less noise under horse drawn transport than the alternatives of granite or macadam, but was slippery when wet
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 22673406
© Historic England Archive
Civil Engineering Construction Engineering Horse Drawn Transport People At Work Tarmac
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Historic Images
> The Victorian Age
> The 1870s
> Transport
> Horse-power
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a moment in time during the road resurfacing of Lee Road in Blackheath Park, Greenwich, Greater London. In the foreground, an elevator can be seen depositing debris into a cart drawn by a majestic horse, showcasing the reliance on traditional methods of transportation during construction work. The workers from the Improved Wood Pavement Company stand in the background, their presence a testament to their dedication to improving London's streets. The Improved Wood Pavement Company Ltd has a rich history dating back to 1872 when it was registered under this name. Previously known as the London Wood Paving Company, they played an integral role in revolutionizing street paving techniques. Wooden pavement systems were introduced in the 1870s and offered numerous advantages over alternatives such as granite or macadam surfaces. One notable advantage was its ability to reduce noise pollution caused by horse-drawn transport that dominated city streets at that time. However, wooden pavements did pose challenges when wet due to their slippery nature. Nevertheless, this photograph serves as a reminder of how civil engineering and innovative thinking have shaped our urban landscapes throughout history. Preserved within Historic England Archive's collection, this image not only showcases construction and engineering practices but also offers glimpses into daily life during highway maintenance projects. It is an invaluable piece of historical documentation capturing both human ingenuity and hard work while providing insight into our ever-evolving urban environments.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
