Locomotive Act 1861

WHEREAS the Use of Locomotives is likely to become common on Turnpike and other Roads : And whereas the General Turnpike and Highway Acts and many of the Local Turnpike Acts do not contain any Provisions for regulating the Use of Locomotives on the Roads to which they respectively apply, nor do they authorize the levying of Tolls upon or in respect of any Locomotive using the Roads, or upon or in respect of any Waggon or Carriage drawn by Locomotives: And whereas under and by virtue of certain Local Turnpike Acts Tolls may be levied upon Locomotives and other Engines drawing or propelling Waggons or Carriages, or upon the Waggons or Carriages so drawn or propelled, which are or may be prohibitory of the Use of Locomotives on the Roads to which the said Acts respectively apply: And whereas the Weighing Clauses in the General Turnpike Acts have not been framed in anticipation of Traffic by Locomotives, and are in many respects ill adapted to the profitable carrying of Goods, or to the levying of just and adequate Tolls upon Waggons or Carriages drawn by Locomotives : And whereas it is desirable that the Use of Locomotives on Turnpike and other Roads should be regulated by uniform general Provisions, and that Tolls should be levied upon such Locomotives and the Waggons or Carriages drawn by such Locomotives upon Turnpike Roads: