Ordnance Survey, Public Health Act Map of Newcastle-under-Lyme – Sheet 4

Description:These maps were surveyed in 1851 by the Ordnance Survey Department in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act, for the Local Board of Health.

The Public Health Act of 1848

In Newcastle in 1849 the population was around 10,000; in that year more than 1,700 fell ill with cholera with 234 dying of the disease.
This was recorded as one of the highest rates of the disease in the country; this was because sanitary conditions in Newcastle were very poor at the time.

Nationally sanitary reform grew as a political issue and during the 1840s parliament began to take the problem seriously, resulting in the act of 1848.

As part of the act a Central Board of Health was set up, whose role was to enforce, regulate and supervise street cleaning, water supply, waste collection and sewage disposal. Local health boards eventually took over these responsibilities.

The Ordnance Survey department under the supervision of Captain Andrew Beatty of the Royal Engineers was contracted to accurately survey the town so that plans could be drawn up to implement new drainage.

Places shown on the map include Castle Bank, Pool Dam, Lower Street, Holborn and Church Street.

Digitisation funded by Heritage Lottery Fund