贵族与近代英国公路体系革新

On the Aristocracy and Innovation of the British Highway System in Modern Times

古代英国公路承续罗马道路系统,经历中世纪的发展形成特有的“国王之路”体系,进入近代初期产生“教区修缮体系”。英国传统公路体系存在使用权与监管权相互对立的弊端,到近代早期这一状况得到改善。贵族参与公路体系革新的主要目的在于获取经济收益、提升地区产业价值、巩固社会政治地位。他们在议会中积极促进公路立法,在推动公路建设、提高筑路技术等方面投入人力和财力,甚至土地。英国于18世纪建成现代公路交通体系,贵族的努力不可或缺。这场宏大革新实现了个人、地区与国家的受益共赢,促进了工业化的顺利进行。

The ancient British highway inherited the Roman road system,and underwent the development of the so-called via regia in the Middle Ages,and evolved into“the parish repair system”in the early modern times.The traditional highway system had a drawback of conflicting rights of“used for public”and“governed by local”,which had been improved in the early modern times.The main purpose of aristocratic participation in the reform of the highway system was to obtain economic benefits,enhance regional industrial value,and consolidate their social and political status.They actively promoted road legislation in parliament,invested manpower and financial resources,and even land in promoting road construction and improving road construction technology.The modern road transportation system was built in Britain in the 18th century,and the efforts of the aristocracy were indispensable.This grand reform had achieved a win-win situation for individuals,regions,and countries,promoting the progress of industrialization.