| Administrative History | A Runcorn Improvement Act was first proposed by members of the Board of Surveyors of the Highways for the Township of Runcorn in September 1851; the Board was convinced that an Act would give the growing town the necessary powers to manage its affairs more effectively than was possible under the old Township arrangements. It was recognised very early in the process that a good, large-scale survey would be an essential tool, and in October 1851 it was proposed that "Mr [Henry] White [of Warrington] or any other person be employed to make a Survey of the Township of Runcorn and such parts of the out Townships as may be required…". A Survey Committee was duly formed. After the Act came into effect in November 1852 tenders were invited for a survey and map, at a scale of 10 feet: 1 mile, to show "every house and building, the main house and back drainage, sewer grates, kitchen sinks, sink stones, ventilators, cess pools, privies, wash houses, cisterns, rain spouts, dust bins, water plugs, fire pipes, sunk and raised areas, green houses, stables, coach houses, cow houses….In fact a plan which will afford every information." The Improvement Commissioners considered a number of tenders in January 1853, and decided to accept the proposal of Mr David J Henry, civil engineer, of 7 Victoria Chambers, Corporation Street, Manchester, who offered to make the detailed survey for £301-15s-0d, and a general plan at a scale of 2 feet: 1 mile for £60-7s-0d. The contract was agreed in April, and the maps were duly delivered in September 1853. |