Highways Act 1562 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Citation | 5 Eliz. 1. c. 13 |
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| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 1653 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Highways Act 1555 |
| Repealed by | Highways (No. 2) Act 1766 |
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Status: Repealed
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The Highways Act 1562 was an important law passed in England way back in 1563. It was sometimes called the Second Statute of Highways. This law built upon an earlier one from 1555, aiming to make roads better for everyone.
Contents
Why Roads Needed Fixing
Before the 1562 law, there was another important rule called the Highways Act 1555. This earlier law came out in 1555, when Queen Mary I was in charge. It said that every household in a local area, called a parish, had to help fix the roads. They had to give four days of their time each year to work on the highways.
What the 1562 Act Changed
The Highways Act 1562 made some big changes to the older law. It made the rules last for another twenty years. It also increased the amount of work people had to do. Instead of four days, householders now had to give six days of their time each year to fix the roads.
New Powers for Supervisors
The people in charge of road work, called supervisors, got new powers. They could now take rocks from quarries. They could also dig for gravel to use on the roads. They did not need to ask the landowners for permission first.
Keeping Supervisors Accountable
The new law also made sure supervisors did their job well. Local judges, known as Justices of the Peace, could check on them. These judges met at special meetings called Quarter Sessions. If a supervisor was not doing their duty, the judges could investigate. They could also make the supervisor pay a fine if needed.
When the Act Ended
The Highways Act 1562 was eventually replaced. It was officially cancelled by a new law in 1766. This new law was called the Highways (No. 2) Act 1766.
