Boydell Press Minutes of the Oxford Paving Commissioners 1771–1801: 49 (Oxford Historical Society New Series)

Eighteenth century Oxford was a place of great contrast with the architectural splendour of its university and college buildings set among narrow streets and timber-framed houses. Ancient gates and market stalls obstructed traffic and rubbish piled up in unpaved streets. Through a Local Act in 1771, Town and Gown came together at last in a remarkable collaboration as the Oxford Paving Commissioners with powers to make radical improvements. Some critics regretted these changes, others wanted more, but all could agree that, within thirty years, Oxford had been transformed.