The Greensted Road

History repeats! Now look at some of our local roads. They are under unprecedented stress; traffic is increasing; established pot-holes have been deepened by last winter’s weather; water covers roads where ditches have filled; hedges have outgrown verges, leaving pedestrian users no safe haven; some country roads are simply too narrow and the largest vehicles assault the lanes. And then there are the 4x4s and people carriers . . . .

On the Greensted Road, more than eighty years ago, problems were similar. Let the Rev. Ralph W. Doyle explain in the monthly church magazine - just two typewritten pages attached to a diocesan supplement.

The Church Magazine of Greensted, Ongar, Essex, January 1927

“If Greensted Road – formerly Church Lane – is left much longer in the state that it is now, it will permanently stamp the Hamlet, and its unique and beautiful Church, with the new name of Greensted-on-Mud. It is really scandalous that it should be left from week to week and month to month in the state it is at present. It is now used as a thoroughfare and short cut between Ongar and Epping for all kind of heavy traffic, including traction engines and trailers, and yet so narrow that two cars can hardly pass. What is really required is that the poor road should be closed to such heavy traffic until a new road, at last double its present width, and constructed on right principles, should be made. There is no footpath or refuge for foot passengers, who have to rush into hedge or ditch to save themselves. Perhaps nothing of any real value will be done until some serious smash takes place, and people of some consequence are killed.

N.B. Will all contributors remember, please, to send in their notes by the 21st of every month.
Yours always sincerely
RALPH W. DOYLE
Editor, pro tem”

One can only guess who the “people of some consequence” might be?! The Rev. Doyle, perhaps a reluctant editor, was certainly committed to the cause of the Greensted Road. He was no supporter of the local authority with responsibility for it. In the following magazine a short entry continued his campaign to improve the local road conditions.

Church Magazine, February 1927

“ GREENSTED ROAD
If a demonstration of Greensted-on-mud were needed no one can say they have not got it during those late weeks and days! The traction engines and trailers still run snorting and groaning, and puffing sulphur fumes, and the “Authority”, whatever that is, make no ado. Well, wait! If you can’t be patient then be as patient as you can.”

Is there a hint in the final sentence of the magazine entry of growing commitment to the cause. Road conditions did not improve, and apparently worsened during the Spring of 1927.

Church Magazine, May 1927

“The Church Road is now in a worse condition than ever. The heavy milk lorries and the greatly increased motor traffic are making havoc of whatever remains of the real road. Except (and this is there for all to see) a part of the road which is really well made and tarred some 3 or 4 years ago, and that stretches down from Blake Hall Station for about ¾ of a mile, and resists wear and tear. Experto crede.”

Rev Doyle is a close observer of the road. Sentiment against the growth in traffic, on roads that are not fit for the purpose, is expressed widely. The Daily Mail is quoted in the church magazine.

Church Magazine, September 1927

“ THE SCANDAL OF GREENSTED ROAD
A most timely and singularly appropriate article on the subject of roads without footpaths is here partly copied from the London Daly Mail. . . . .

. . . . With the constant increase of motor traffic, the pedestrian really does take his life in his hands when walking along narrow roads unprovided with footpaths. On such roads it is becoming positively perilous to walk; and for women with children, especially, the experience is nerve-wracking. The problem is an urgent one and will have to be faced.

As to the recklessness of certain drivers in passing one another, our correspondent makes out a clear case against what, though not actually dangerous driving in itself, is a danger to pedestrians and to traffic coming in the opposite direction. . . . “

The transport of the timber from the felled trees in Ongar Park resulted in an extra burden for the road. So the Rector complained and, to add substance to the action, he withheld payment of his rates. He was duly brought to the local magistrates court. The chairman of the court was firm with the protesting rector.

Church Magazine, October 1927

“Dear friends, - Our combined efforts added to an appeal to the Minister of Transport, to get some improvement in the condition of Greensted Church Road, the ancient and unique highway from London into Suffolk, seems to be at last getting nearer to realization. But let me warn our “experts” in road-making that patching with gravel and water will not do; this is following “the vicious circle” of throwing good money of the Ratepayers away. This little road is now subjected to the heaviest and most grinding and destroying traffic. Besides being a by-pass for Epping and London for thousands of motorists, it is about to be used again, we are told, to bear the weight of traction engines and trailers laden with the forest trees of Ongar Park, which is being destroyed – a shameful act in itself. . . . . A propos of all this, the present writer has had unsought notoriety forced upon him by kindly and appreciative newspapers, who have shown their appreciation of his efforts and condemnation of the very rude and unfair treatment he received in the Ongar Police Court.

On October 8th inst., having paid a full year’s rates (£28) for no kind of benefit, I refused, he says, to pay a third half-year without, at least, making a protest against the Council’s neglect of the Church road in spite of all our efforts and complaints. Therefore I welcomed a summons from the masterly spenders of our money, the Ongar Council, to show cause why I had not paid, etc. But to my astonishment the Justice in the chair, instead of fulfilling the promise of his name, and hearing my “cause” patiently in the King’s name – for the Imperial Crown is stamped on the citation – refused to hear anything I might have to say.! . . . . “

There appeared to be growing interest in the “angry rector’s” protest and the Evening Standard found the case worthy of wider publication.

Evening Standard

“ ANGRY RECTOR
Complaint in Court of Lack of Courtesy
From Our Own Correspondent ONGAR, Saturday

The Rector of Greensted, The Rev. R. Doyle, created a little scene at the Ongar Court today. He appeared in connection with the non-payment of rates.

He said he was now ready to pay, by the withheld payment, as a protest against the condition of the road near the rectory. He was acting on behalf of the parishioners generally.

Chairman: The condition of the road has nothing to do with the Bench.

The Rector: No, but it has to do with my prosecutors, the Rural Council,

Chairman: Are you going to pay, or shall we issue a distress warrant?

The Rector: You have no right to issue a distress. I will pay under protest, and I shall use my best endeavours –

Chairman (interrupting): Please stop. We have other business.

The Rector: I know that, but this is of great importance to me.

Chairman: We have heard your protest.

The Rector: I am not addressing you but the Bench. I don’t want to have anything to do with lawyers or liars, which are said to be almost transferable.

Chairman: That will do. Will you pay now?

The Rector: Yes.

The Clerk: That means at once.

The Rector: I never knew that it meant anything else. I have never been treated with such lack of courtesy and respect.

The Rector signed a cheque for the amount due.”

There is truculence in the Rev. Doyle. In equating lawyers with liars during the proceedings, he was sailing close to the wind, but the condemnation was from the clerk was mild. Nevertheless, success followed and his voice was heard! He is still the editor of the magazine.

Church Magazine, November 1927

“ TO THE PARISHIONERS AND ROAD USERS
Dear Friends,

The “impossible” has come to pass. We are not only going to have a properly mended toad, but a “re-constructed” road, for which we must give thanks. To be worthy of lovely Greensted and its wonder of a church – it will require to be very good indeed, and have a “crown” upon it. So you see all things come to those who wait (and work). You must have remarked with a sign of satisfaction that notices have been placed at the Ongar end, and towards Blake Hall: “This road is closed to all Vehicular traffic from” “Greensted Rectory to Draper’s Corner” “during reconstruction”. A good many “vehicles” including loads with engines, of 10 or 12 tons, managed to slip through to the surprise of some of us; and doubtless their “impressione” did not help things; and you wondered why it was allowed. But there was no policeman, no pole across the way; and perhaps that had something to do with it. . . . .”

“P.S. Our next appeal must be; GIVE US LIGHT! Gas, Oil, or Electric. For Greensted Road is very dark at night.

Your sincere and affectionate friend and Rector,
R. W. DOYLE”

Following the success, the next target is to be street lighting along the Church Road! In the meantime the Rev. Doyle is still keeping a close eye on the construction of the new road.

Church Magazine, January 1928

“[The church magazine] will also have an honoured place in the memory of those who knew what Greensted Road was, with its mud and ruts of a year ago, and the floods which in this year of floods left us, I hope with thankful hearts that something was done at last to fight them. The road is by no means finished yet; and there are certain features in the workmanship, in the way of carrying off surface water between the Church turning and the little Lower Lodge, which only require to be seen to be condemned. An ineffective waste of the Ratepayers’ money. But even the people who have done less than nothing to help, seem glad or at least “tolerant” about what is beginning to dawn on them as a necessary improvement.”

RAF North Weald traffic is now adding pressure to the road. There are still details in the road that need to be attended to.

Church Magazine, March 1928

“The renewed and partially restored Greensted Road, and greatly needed water channels, which have already put an end to floods and danger, even during the record time of floods we have passed through, is a great and permanent improvement and relief. The road suffers from heavy traffic, which should be prohibited by the local authority until the metalling has set at least, and proper railings and refuges from juggernaut cars day and night have been effected. The traffic upon this little road has increased enormously of late, chiefly owing to the permanent establishment of the Royal Air Force at North Weald. It has been further pointed out that the owners of the land between Greensted Hall and the Rectory should be required by the local authority to erect strong and permanent wood or iron railings where there is NO PROTECTION for road users against falling into deep waters, and being drowned, if an accident should occur.”

This is perhaps a lengthy tale of a less than significant chapter in local history. Yet, more that eighty years after the Rev. Doyle’s observations and protest, conditions established then remain. Traffic along Greensted Road was increasing then, sometimes dramatically with the establishment of RAF North Weald. The road surface was irregular and poorly maintained. Today, water covers the road just where it was reported in 1927. Pedestrians, who walked down the road then, engaged huge physical risk, as they do today. Huge lorries and massive farm vehicles now use the road frequently, having replaced the traction engines, milk lorries and traffic from Ongar Park. And juggernaut . . . .