science · 23 August 1617 · 407 years ago
In 1617, the first one-way streets were established in London. An Act of Common Council was passed to regulate the "disorder and rude behaviour of Carmen, Draymen and others using Cartes." Seventeen narrow and congested lanes were specified. They ran into Thames Street, including Pudding Lane (where the Great Fire of London began in 1667). "No Carter or Carman to come into Thames Street by Saint Magnus Corner Eastward with his Carr before he is hired under penalty of 2s. 6d. for the 1st offence, 5s. for the 2nd and to be disabled from using a Carr." and "For avoiding the great numbers of Carrs which come out of ...As late as 1755, the Christ's Hospital Carmen's Committee fined seven carmen 5s. each for violations. The traffic regulation continued for two centuries.
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