Roads, for longer than people could
remember, were nothing more than dirt tracks that turned
to mud in the winter and baked rock hard in the summer.
Either way, movement along these 'roads' was difficult
and at certain times of the year, practically impossible.
By law, every parish had to look after the 'roads'
that ran through their area. Men were meant to work
for 6 days every year to maintain and repair the roads.
However, very few villagers travelled, therefore they
were not particularly interested in doing this task
especially as it - and roads - seemed to offer them
no benefits.
Private companies called Turnpike Trusts were established.
The first one was created in 1706. The public was given
the opportunity to invest in these companies. The money
raised by charging people to use the roads was split
between profits for the share holders and the cost
of maintaining the roads in the control of the trust.
People had to pay what was called a toll to use the
roads. Toll gates were established through which people
and carriages had to pass before continuing with their
journey.
This Toll board which is currently located in the
Lyneham Library, the former War Memorial building was
sitted at Lyneham Green. For further information about
the Turnpikes, Toll Houses click
here |
