Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 21 May 1799

John Ibbetson Esqr				Newcastle 21st May 1799



Sir

	As the Term in the Act of Parliament for repairing and widening the Road from near Glenwhelt to the Military Road leading to this Town is nearly at an End, an application will be made to Parliament in the ensuing Session, for a new Act, and if it is the wish of the Commissioners of this Road, to be empowered to make a Branch from the Town of Corbridge, to a part of the Military Road, near to the Town of Heddon on the Wall.

	The Road is now so extremely hilly, that the Passage along it is much delayed, but if the intended Branch should be made, the new Road will be much upon a Level, and upwards of one Mile nearer than the present one, and as many heavy Articles would be carried upon it, particularly Lead, the Advantage to the Country at large, as well as to the Owners of Estates thro’ which the Branch is proposed to pass, would be very considerable.

	As the projected Improvement, would materially benefit the Estates of Greenwich Hospital, thro’ which the new Road is intended to be carried, as also to its Estates at Dilston, Corbridge and in the Parish of Hexham, and Barony of Langley, we should consider that as a sufficient inducement to us to recommend it to the Commissioners and Governors of the Hospital to subscribe towards the Expence of making it, and to give the Ground wch it will be necessary to take, but our principal Objects upon this Occasion, are, the Lead Mines in Alstonmoor, and Langley Lead Mill,  With respect to the Lead Mines, the Advantage in Carriage of various Articles, would be very great indeed, and Langley Mill would be benefitted, at least £60 p Annum, in carriage of Lead only.

	For the above Reasons we have thought it necessary to give this Business, every attention, and now send you, for the Boards better Information, a Plan of that Part of the Country through which the new Road is to be made, and of the Estates of Greenwich Hospital, through which it is proposed it shall pass, and beg leave earnestly to recommend it to the Directors, to subscribe £500 to be secured upon the Credit of the Tolls, and (as the other Owners of Estates intend doing) to give such Ground as may be wanted for the new Road, which will be about four Acres, estimated worth eighty or ninety Pounds.

	As a meeting is soon to be held to take this Matter into consideration, we should be glad to receive the Boards early Commands upon the Subject and are Sir

      Your most obedt Servts

      Walton & Turner