ABSTRACT
What ought to have been far reaching developments for roads were introduced by Mr Lloyd George who had become the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1908. Amongst those who opposed Lloyd George's proposals were three powerful groups. Firstly, Tory landowners, headed by Lord Robert Cecil and Mr Henry Chaplin. The other two groups were those who desired a railway monopoly and those Treasury officials who disliked annual taxation being earmarked for specific purposes in advance. The Road Board was formed in May 1910 and consisted of five members, all of whom were appointed by the Treasury. Sir George Gibb had arranged for the Road Board to function from the London offices of the North Eastern Railway in Westminster which added fuel to the criticism of those who were convinced that the railways' future would always be given priority over any road improvements.
