Mr. William Reed, a land agent, was called, in 1834, to give evidence in
favour of the Great Western Railway. He was questioned as to the
benefits conferred upon the localities passed through by the Manchester
and Liverpool Railway. He was asked, “From your knowledge of the
property in the neighbourhood, can you say that the houses have not
decreased in value?” “Yes; I know an instance of a gentleman who had a
house very near, and, though he quarrelled very much with the Company
when they came there, and said, ‘Very well, if you will come let me have
a high wall to keep you out of sight,’ and a year-and-a-half ago he
petitioned the Company to take down the wall, and he has put up an iron
railing, so that he may see them.”