With roadworks across Dorchester currently causing delays and frustration to commuters, it’s easy to dream of simpler times.

Whilst motorists nowadays may be frustrated at the traffic lights or road closures, road and street care has always been a consideration in the borough of Dorchester - including a law making residents look after their street at weekends.

Looking back through the municipal records of Dorchester shows that streets have needed improvements and regulations to keep the roads safe for hundreds of years.

Here a just a few examples from the 17th to the 19th century in the county town:

  • July 13, 1631 saw a regulation was passed that no brewers of the town should be allowed to carry beer in town carts with iron bonds on for fear of damage to the pavements of the town. It came into place on August 24 of the same year.
  • At the Court of General Quarter Sessions on January 12, 1693, it was ordered that every inhabitant on every street in the borough of Dorchester ‘sufficiently’ clean and sweep their road every Saturday. They would then have to clean their houses, outhouses, gardens and walks from their home to the middle of the gutter. They then had to take away the ‘dust, dirt and filth’ themselves.
  • On June 6, 1769 coopers, or barrel makers, in the town were ordered to ‘remove nuisances’ and to not make their casks or do work in the street anymore.
  • On September 18, 1783 it was decided that the east part of the White Hart Inn, purchased by Mr Robert Stickland for £680, would be pulled down to make way for improvements at the eastern entrance to town. One pound and 14 shillings were given by Trustees of Blandford and Dorchester Turnpike to do this.
  • On November 6, 1812 a petition was brought forward to the mayor of the town by the residents of Dorchester to demolish the homes of Thomas Standish, James Mills and others. The purpose of the demolition was to make the street near St Peter’s Church wider. A meeting then took place in which it was agreed that the demolition will be of ‘great advantage to the public’ and improve the town. The mayor and corporation then consented to give up their interest in the houses.
  • September 5, 1831 saw the Town Steward pay £10 from the Corporation funds towards the improvement of Durngate Street by pulling down part of Mr Elias Gulpin’s house.
  • Lighting was another issue facing the street safety coming into play in the nineteenth century. On April 1, 1833 a licence was issued to the Dorchester Gas Light and Coke company to lay down their works and pipes in the street. Six months later in October, the Corporation of the town ordered the gas company to place a lamp over the Blindhouse Door and also lay down pipes. They were asked to do what was necessary for lighting both the rooms in the town hall and to keep the Blind House regularly lit.

With thanks to Mayo’s the municipal records of the Borough of Dorchester, republished in 1908 by William Pollard.