Turnpikes A4 road (England)

strip map of bath road 1786.

as turnpike trusts individually run, there possibility differing road conditions, on london clay basin of kensington, brentford, hounslow , slough, winter conditions left way muddy , uneven. not case bath road, many of wealthy landowners along route co-operated informally , exercised large amount of control on feeder roads. result, control of bath road easy maintain , many inns , towns became prosperous.

tollhouses established @ colnbrook, maidenhead, twyford, castle street reading, thatcham , benham. during 1820s, employment of surveyors improved condition of road , aided increased flow of wealthy travellers. tolls raised such clientele ensured when turnpike trusts handed on route local highway boards, had no financial liabilities. justices of peace empowered 1862 rural highways act combine turnpike trusts highways districts. meant late 1860s trusts either not renewing powers or being terminated general acts of parliament. example, turnpikes in berkshire, including bath road, officially wound 1878 when legislation transferred responsibility dis-enturnpiked roads new county councils. tollgate on bath road west of reading removed in 1864 outward pressure of urban development made rates more acceptable way of financing maintenance of suburban road.