Document two
High Street obstructions
Anyone coming into Dartford on a Saturday is at once struck by the narrowness of the main street, and the fact that although there is a large amount of traffic including that of trams, a row of stalls is allowed to occupy one side of the thoroughfare. The accommodation afforded for foot passengers by the paths is altogether inadequate, and most people walk in the roadway.
When a tramcar comes along there is a constant clang of the bell and people scatter to the right and left. The stalls that are allowed to obstruct one side of the street, abut onto a rather narrow pathway, the crowded state of which not only prevents people from giving a due share of their attention to the shop windows but probably does affect prejudicially the trade of some of the largest ratepayers.
FROM A LETTER TO THE LOCAL PRESS (JUNE 1911)