Handwritten letter from Melksham addressed to Saunders Esq. but unsigned on behalf of the Holt Turnpike Roads

Melksham
20th March 1845
Sir

Wilts Somerset & Weymouth Railway

We are directed by the Trustees of the toll Turnpike Road to inform you that they have considered the effect of the intentions of the Railway Company with reference to the Turnpike Roads, and that they are of the opinion that the Railway company must be required to make Bridges - according to the provisions of the Railway clauses Consolidation Bill for carrying such Roads over the Railway where the latter crosses the Turnpike Road leading from Melksham to Bath and Bradford and where it crosses the Turnpike Road leading from Melksham to Laycock & Chippenham - The proposed Railway will also cross the Tunrpike Road leading from Melksham to Broughton Gifford but as it appears that by a slight deviation being made in this latter road that the necessity of the Railways crossing that Road may be avoided, we ar .directed to suggest this deviation to you, and to inform you that if the Railway Company requires to pass the above Roads according to the plans~ proposed by the Company, that the Trustees must oppose the same.

We must request your answer on or before the 31st instant whether the Company will comply with these requisitions, otherwise the Trustees will consider that the Company declines to do so.

We are Sir
Your most obedt Servants.