Imperial Law for ferries and bridges

Where imperial roads cross the rivers or where the fastest route is over a lake or river, the imperial law for ferries and bridges applies. The appendix for this law is added to control the economy for non-imperial ferries and bridges.

I. A ferry is a boat or ship or other device to take passengers and their luggage dry to the other side of the water.
II. A bridge is a permanent or semi-permanent construct that extends the road over the water and lets pass travellers without changing means of transport.

1. Ferries and bridges have to be constructed to carry passengers and their riding-animals to the other side of the water. If a ferry or bridge can only handle foot-passengers, a horse for heralds has to be provided within a distance of a quarter stond from the other side of the water, thus giving heralds access to quick transport at any time.
1a. Rail transport can only count as quick transport with permission of the Emperor (added 1842)
2. At any time, a spare vehicle has to be provided to cross the water in emergencies. These spare vehicles have to be checked and, if necessary, maintained, every menoth. The use of these spare vehicles is exclusively for imperial heralds. The spares may be of less comfort than the normal ferries (or bridges).
3. The ferry man has to find a solution for getting across his passengers in extreme circumstances, such as high- or low water levels, storm and ice. The Empire shall pay for extra costs if necessary.

4. The ferries and bridges have to be safe to use for any passenger. If there are risks to the use of the ferry or bridge, this must be made public on an information-board next to the bridge or on the ferry.
5. Ferries and bridges are not allowed to obstruct normal river traffic.
6. Prices for the use of ferries and bridges have to made clear to the traveller before he uses ferry or bridge. Imperial heralds have the right to travel free at any time.
7. Ferries and bridges belonging to imperial roads are limited in the price they ask for using the application. A maximum of 1 Skilliggs for a traveller applies all over Daleth, with a maximum of 5 Assar per piece of hand-carries luggage and a maximum of 5 Skilliggs for an animal (on a ferry) or 1 Skilliggs for the same on a bridge.
7a. Maximum prices do not apply to ferries that do not only cross the river, but also travel along the river more than necessary to make it to the other side.
7b. Minimum prices are not given by law. However, a ferry man or bridge man has to make sure the service can be kept intact without the permanent financial help of the Empire.

8a. An imperial ferry place should have: on each side of the river a lamp and a bell to signal t the ferry man there is someone waiting; a waiting-room that keeps waiting passengers free from rain and wind; a well-designed board to get the passengers into the ferry; price list and information. The ferry itself should have some seats.
8b. An imperial bridge should have at least one side provided with a rail or cord to keep passengers from falling off. A heap of sand has to be near the bridge to use on the bridge when the weather made it slippery to cross the river.
9. Both imperial ferries and imperial bridges have to carry an image of the Imperial Crown on a clearly visible place.

(Ildritz, 1731)

Appendix
1. Within a length of half a stond walking along the river, measured from an existing ferry or bridge, it is not allowed to build bridges or navigate ferries without permission from the local government.
2. Bridges within a gong are only allowed when build by the local government.
3. Maximum prices do not apply to private ferries or bridges. If necessary, one can chose to travel cheaper via an imperial bridge or ferry.

(Ildritz, 1788)

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