Fixing the road with just a shovel

Jun 18 2008

WHEN they need to repair the roads these days, they bring in all the big machinery.

But back in the 1900s, there was less of a fuss.

This photo, taken around 1905, shows a road watchman, whose job it was to tend the sewers.

He did his work through sheer hard work, without the aid of heavy machinery.

There were fewer traffic jams, but perhaps that's because there were few motor cars on the road.

It was the year, by the way, that the Sunbeam Motor Car Company was founded with a starting capital of £40,000.

The cars were made at Moorfield Works, off Villiers Street in Wolverhampton and John Marston was Chairman.

There were also satellite factories in Owen Road, Temple Street, and Ablow Street, where other components including car radiators were made.