History Curb

curbs , raised sidewalks beside 2000-year-old paved road, pompeii, italy



east india house, leadenhall street, london, 1766. sidewalk separated main street 6 bollards in front of building. late 18th century, method had largely been supplanted use of curbs.

although curbs have been used throughout modern history, , indeed present in ancient pompeii, widespread construction , use began in 18th century, part of various movements towards city beautification attempted in period.

a series of paving acts in 18th century, 1766 paving , lighting act, authorized city of london corporation create footways along streets of london, pave them purbeck stone (the thoroughfare in middle cobblestone) , raise them above street level curbs forming separation. previously, small wooden bollards had been put demarcate area of street reserved pedestrian use. corporation made responsible regular upkeep of roads, including cleaning , repair, charged tax 1766.

with introduction of macadam roads in 19th-century, curbs became ubiquitous in streets of london.