Scotland in the nineteenth century

15. Transport

Section 15.10: Traction engines

"to enquire into the working of the laws relating to the use of traction engines on roads."

[page 329]

An increasing number of traction engines were being used for ploughing, threshing, steam-rolling and hauling. Many complained that they caused inconvenience to traffic, made too much noise and gave rise to a number of accidents. Furthermore, they caused considerable damage to roads and bridges, therefore imposing a heavy burden on ratepayers. Witnesses from Aberdeen in particular complained about the damage done to the granite setts by the locomotives, which often carried excessive weights. William Dyack, civil engineer and borough surveyor of Aberdeen (pp. 158-163) also complained of damage to houses caused by vibrations. Many traction engines ran throughout the night. It was suggested that bye-laws should be passed restricting the hours of travelling. Some thought those in charge of the engines worked too long hours and this increased the likelihood of accidents. It was also suggested that attendants should he registered, restrictions should be placed on the weights carried and the number of trucks, the engines should be inspected periodically and their use prohibited during certain months of the year.

In England, the local councils had the power of making bye-laws for granting annual licences to locomotives used within their county. There were, however, no licence duties in Scotland. Most of the Scottish witnesses recommended that licence duties should he leviable in Scotland. Such a duty imposed on traction engine owners would cover some of the cost of the damages they caused. John Otto Macqueen, member of the Aberdeen County Council (pp. 163-174) thought that the licence duties should he levied on a sliding scale according to the weight of the engine. William Boyd White, manager for Messrs. A. & F. Manuel, quarry owners, Aberdeen, who owned two traction engines (pp. 176-180) thought an imperial licence should be levied throughout the country rather than separate licences for each county district being levied. He questioned whether engines used for agricultural purposes should be licensed.

William Smith, Chairman of the County Road Board of Forfarshire (pp. 189-195), where traction engines were often used for hauling timber, suggested that a special assessment should be made where a man damaged the road to such an extent that the amount he paid in road rates would not cover the cost of the repair. The Committee thought this would give rise to too much dispute.

Appendix no. 5: County bye-laws concerning traction engines in Scotland and notes on the difference between English and Scottish law in practice in regard to the use of locomotives on highways (pp. 253-254).