Turnpike trusts in the East of England

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This is a list of turnpike trusts that maintained roads in the East of England.

Between 1663 and 1836, the Parliament of Great Britain and the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed a series of acts of Parliament that created organisations – turnpike trusts – that collected road tolls, and used the money to repair the road. These applied to major roads, around a fifth of the road network.[1] The turnpike system was phased out in the 1870s, and major roads transitioned in the 1880s to the maintenance of the new county councils.

The counties used for these lists are the historic counties of England that existed at the time of the turnpike trusts. This article lists those in the east of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Trust Founded Initial act
Citation Title
  • Barford Turnpike Trust
  • Cardington to Temsford Bridge Turnpike Trust
177212 Geo. 3. c. 107Bedford Roads (No. 2) Act 1772
An Act for repairing and widening the Road from the Forty-eighth Mile Stone, in the Parish of Cardington, in the present Turnpike Road between Hitchin and Bedford, to Great Barford Bridge; and for continuing a Road from thence to the Great Northern Road near Temsford Bridge, in the County of Bedford.
  • Bedford and Kimbolton Turnpike Trust
179535 Geo. 3. c. 148Bedford to Kimbolton Road Act 1795
An Act for repairing, widening, and altering, the road leading from The Way Post, at the north-east end of the town of Bedford, in the county of Bedford, to the north-east end of a lane, in the parish of Kimbolton, in the county of Huntingdon, called The Park Lane.
  • Bedford and Luton Turnpike Trust
172613 Geo. 1. c. 17Luton and Saint Albans Road Act 1726
An Act for amending and repairing the Road from Luton, in the County of Bedford, to Westwood Gate, in the said County.
  • Bedford and Newport Pagnell Turnpike Trust
  • Bedford to Sherrington Turnpike Trust
175427 Geo. 2. c. 34Bedford and Buckinghamshire Roads (No. 2) Act 1754
An Act for repairing and widening the High Road, from a Place called Saint Loyds, in the Town of Bedford, through the Parishes of Bromham, Stagsden, Astwood, Hardmead, and Chichley, to the Way Post in Sherrington Field, where the said Road joins the High Road from the Town of Olney to the Town of Newport Pagnell; and also the High Road from Bromham aforesaid, through the Parishes of Turvey and Colebrayfield, to the Town of Launden, otherwise Lavenden, in the Counties of Bedford and Buckingham; and for applying Part of the Money arising thereby, towards repairing, re-building, or widening, Sherrington Bridge, in the Road from the said Way Post to the Town of Newport Pagnell.
  • Bedford and Woburn Turnpike Trust
177717 Geo. 3. c. 94Bedford Roads Act 1777
An Act for repairing and widening the Road from Stall-gate Close, at the South-west End of the Town of Bedford, to the Town of Ampthill, and from the said Town of Ampthill to Woburn Park, in the County of Bedford; and also the Road branching out of the same, in Kempston Field, to the Turnpike Road leading from Hitchin to the said Town of Bedford.
  • Biggleswade to Alconbury Hill Turnpike Trust
172411 Geo. 1. c. 20Bedfordshire Roads Act 1724
An Act for repairing and amending the Road from Biggleswade, in the County of Bedford, to Bugden, and through Alconberry, to the Top of Alconberry Hill, or Cross Post leading into Sautery Lane, on the York and Edinburgh Road; and from the said Town of Bugden, to the Town of Huntingdon; and from Cross Hall, in Eaton Sokon, in the said County of Bedford, to Great Stoughton Common, in the said County of Huntingdon.
  • Great Staughton to Lavendon Turnpike Trust
180242 Geo. 3. c. lxivRoad from Great Staughton to Lavendon Act 1802
An Act for repairing, widening, and altering the Road leading from the South End of Brown's Lane, in the Parish of Great Staughton, in the County of Huntingdon, to the Bedford Turnpike Road in the Parish of Lavendon, in the County of Buckingham.
  • Hitchin and Bedford Turnpike Trust
175730 Geo. 2. c. 43Hertford and Bedford Roads Act 1757
An Act for amending, widening, and keeping in Repair, the Road from the Town of Hitchin in the County of Hertford, through the Town of Shefford and Carrington Cotton End, to a Lane opposite a Farm-house called Saint Leonard's, leading into the Turnpike Road from St. Alban's to the Town of Bedford; and also the Road from the Turning out of the aforesaid Road into Henlow Field to Gerford Bridge; and also the Road from the Town of Henlow, over Henlow Bridge, to Arlesey in the County of Bedford.
  • Hockliffe and Woburn Turnpike Trust
17066 Ann. c. 13Bedfordshire Highways Act 1706
An Act for repairing the Highway between Hockliffe and Wooborne, in the County of Bedford.
  • Luton District Turnpike Trust
172613 Geo. 1. c. 17Luton and Saint Albans Road Act 1726
An Act for amending and repairing the Road from Luton, in the County of Bedford, to Westwood Gate, in the said County.
  • Potton Road Turnpike Trust
181454 Geo. 3. c. clxxxRoad from Potton to the Gamlingay and Eynesbury Road Act 1814
An Act for repairing the Road from Potton in the County of Bedford, and Gamlingay in the County of Cambridge, to Eynesbury in the County of Huntingdon.
  • Puddlehill Turnpike Trust
17109 Ann. c. 34Dunstable Highways Act 1710
An Act for repairing the Highways between Dunstable and Hockley, in the County of Bedford.

Cambridgeshire

Trust Founded Initial act
Citation Title
  • Arrington Turnpike Trust
179737 Geo. 3. c. 179Cambridge and Arrington Roads Act 1797
An Act for amending, altering, improving, and keeping in repair, the road leading from the town of Cambridge, into the old north road near Arrington Bridge, all in the county of Cambridge.
  • Cambridge to Ely and Soham (South District) Turnpike Trust
17633 Geo. 3. c. 36Cambridge and Ely Roads Act 1763
An Act for repairing, widening, turning, and keeping in Repair, the Road from the Town of Cambridge to Ely, and from thence to Soham; and for building a Bridge cross the River Ouze, at or near a Place called Stretham Ferry, in the County of Cambridge.
  • Hauxton and Dunsbridge Turnpike Trust
172411 Geo. 1. c. 14Cambridge Roads Act 1724
An Act for repairing part of the Road from London to Cambridge, beginning at the End of the Parish of Foulmire, in the said County, next to Barly, in the County of Hertford, and ending at the Pavement in Trumpington Street, in the Town of Cambridge.
  • Littleport to Welney (North West District) Turnpike Trust
18245 Geo. 4. c. lxCambridge and Ely Roads Act 1824
An Act for amending and improving the Road from Cambridge to Ely, and other Roads therein mentioned, in the County of Cambridge; and for making a Road from or near the Town of Littleport in the Isle of Ely, to the Ferry or Floating Bridge over the Hundred Feet River, in the Parish of Welney in the County of Norfolk.
  • Newmarket Heath Turnpike Trust
172310 Geo. 1. c. 12Cambridge Roads Act 1723
An Act for repairing the Roads leading from Stump Cross, in the Parish of Chesterford, in the County of Essex, to Newmarket Heath, and the Town of Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge.
17633 Geo. 3. c. 32Newmarket and Cambridge Road Act 1763
An Act for repairing the Roads from Newmarket, over Newmarket Heath, to the Turnpike Road leading to Stump Cross, in the Counties of Cambridge and Suffolk.
  • Paper Mills Turnpike Trust
174418 Geo. 2. c. 23Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire Roads Act 1744
An Act to repair and widen the Road leading from Godmanchester, in the County of Huntingdon, through Fen-Stanton and Cambridge, to the First Rubbing-House on Newmarket Heath, in the County of Cambridge.
181555 Geo. 3. c. xlixCambridge to Newmarket Heath Road Act 1815
An Act for more effectually repairing the Road from Jesus Lane in the Town of Cambridge, to Newmarket Heath, in the County of Cambridge.
  • Red Cross Turnpike Trust
  • Haverhill to Shelford Turnpike Trust
17666 Geo. 3. c. 84Cambridge Roads Act 1766
An Act for repairing and widening the Road leading from the present Turnpike Road at Haverhill to Red Cross in the Parish of Shelford, in the County of Cambridge.
  • Royston to Wandesford Bridge (South District) Turnpike Trust
17109 Ann. c. 14Royston and Wandesford Bridge Road Act 1710
An Act for repairing and amending the Highways leading from Royston, in the County of Hertford, to Wandesford Bridge, in the County of Huntington.
  • St Neots to Cambridge Turnpike Trust
177212 Geo. 3. c. 90St. Neots to Cambridge Road Act 1772
An Act for repairing and widening the Road from the West End of Saint Ive's Lane, in the Town of Saint Neot's, in the County of Huntingdon, to the Pavement at the End of Bell Lane in the Town of Cambridge.
  • Stump Cross Turnpike Trust
172310 Geo. 1. c. 12Cambridge Roads Act 1723
An Act for repairing the Roads leading from Stump Cross, in the Parish of Chesterford, in the County of Essex, to Newmarket Heath, and the Town of Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge.
17655 Geo. 3. c. 74Cambridge Roads Act 1765
An Act for enlarging the Powers of several Acts, for repairing the Road from Stump Cross to Newmarket Heath, and from the Town of Cambridge, and from Foulmire to Cambridge, and other Roads adjoining thereto, so far as the same relate to the Road from Foulmire to Cambridge, and the said other Roads adjoining thereto.
  • Wisbech Turnpike Trust

  • Wisbech and Thorney Turnpike Trust
181050 Geo. 3. c. lxxivWisbech and Thorney Road Act 1810
An Act for making and maintaining a Turnpike Road from the Town of Wisbech in the Isle of Ely, in the County of Cambridge, to the Town of Thorney in the same Isle and County.
  • Wrestlingworth and Potton Turnpike Trust
  • Wimpole, Wrestlingworth and Potton Turnpike Trust
18267 Geo. 4. c. xxixWimpole and Potton Road (Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire) Act 1826
An Act for making and maintaining a Turnpike Road from Wimpole in the County of Cambridge to Wrestlingworth in the County of Bedford, and from Wrestlingworth to Potton, both in the said County of Bedford.

Essex

Trust Founded Initial act
Citation Title
  • Barking and Tibury Fort Road Turnpike Trust
180848 Geo. 3. c. xciiTilbury Fort Road Act 1808
An Act for making and maintaining a Road from the Romford and Whitechapel Road, to or near to Tilbury Fort, in the County of Essex.
  • Chelmsford Turnpike Trust
16957 & 8 Will. 3. c. 9London to Harwich Roads Act 1695
An Act for repairing the Highways betweene the City of London and the Towne of Harwich in the County of Essex.
  • Coggeshall and Bocking Turnpike Trust
17655 Geo. 3. c. 60Essex, Suffolk, and Hertford Roads Act 1765
An Act for continuing and rendering more effectual Two Acts, passed in the Twelfth Year of King George the First, and the Twentieth of His late Majesty, for repairing the several Roads therein mentioned, in the Counties of Essex and Suffolk; and for repairing and widening several other Roads, in the Counties of Essex and Hertford.
  • Colchester Turnpike Trust
16957 & 8 Will. 3. c. 9London to Harwich Roads Act 1695
An Act for repairing the Highways betweene the City of London and the Towne of Harwich in the County of Essex.
  • Dunmow Turnpike Trust
172512 Geo. 1. c. 23Essex Roads Act 1725
An Act for repairing the Roads leading from the Western Part of the Parish of Shenfield to Harwich, in the County of Essex; and the Road leading from Chelmsford, in the said County, to Sudbury, in the County of Suffolk; and from Margreting to Malden, in the County of Essex; and from Colchester to Langham, in the same County.
178727 Geo. 3. c. 69Epping and Ongar Road Act 1787
An Act for continuing and enlarging the Term and Powers of several Acts made in the Tenth Year of the Reign of King George the First, the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of King George the Second, and the Ninth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, for repairing the Road from the North Part of Harlow Bush Common in the Parish of Harlow, to Woodford in the County of Essex; and for repairing and widening the Road from Epping through the Parishes of Northweald Bassett, Bobbingworth, High Ongar, Chipping Ongar, and Shelley, to the Four Want Way in the said Parish of Shelley, and from thence through the Parishes of High Ongar and Norton Mandeville to the Parish of Writtle in the said County.
  • Essex Second District Turnpike Trust
16957 & 8 Will. 3. c. 9London to Harwich Roads Act 1695
An Act for repairing the Highways betweene the City of London and the Towne of Harwich in the County of Essex.
  • Halsted Turnpike Trust
172512 Geo. 1. c. 23Essex Roads Act 1725
An Act for repairing the Roads leading from the Western Part of the Parish of Shenfield to Harwich, in the County of Essex; and the Road leading from Chelmsford, in the said County, to Sudbury, in the County of Suffolk; and from Margreting to Malden, in the County of Essex; and from Colchester to Langham, in the same County.
  • Hockerill Turnpike Trust
174317 Geo. 2. c. 9Essex and Hertfordshire Roads Act 1743
An Act for repairing and widening the Road leading from a Place called Harlow Bush Common, in the Parish of Harlow, in the County of Essex, to Stump Cross, in the Parish of Great Chesterford, in the said County.
  • Middlesex and Essex Turnpike Trust
17218 Geo. 1. c. 30Whitechapel Highways Act 1721
An Act for repairing the Highways from The Stones-end at White Chappel Church, in the County of Middlesex, to Shenfield, and to the furthermost Part of the Parish of Woodford, leading to the Town of Epping, in the County of Essex.
  • Notley Turnpike Trust
172512 Geo. 1. c. 23Essex Roads Act 1725
An Act for repairing the Roads leading from the Western Part of the Parish of Shenfield to Harwich, in the County of Essex; and the Road leading from Chelmsford, in the said County, to Sudbury, in the County of Suffolk; and from Margreting to Malden, in the County of Essex; and from Colchester to Langham, in the same County.
  • Rochford Hundred Turnpike Trust
174620 Geo. 2. c. 7Essex Roads Act 1746
An Act for enlarging the Term and Powers granted by an Act, passed in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the First, intituled, "An Act for repairing the Roads leading from the Western Part of the Parish of Shenfield to Harwich, in the County of Essex, and the Road leading from Chelmsford, in the said County, to Sudbury, in the County of Suffolk, and from Margretting to Malden, in the County of Essex, and from Colchester to Langham, in the same County," and for repairing other Roads adjoining to the same Roads.
  • Shenfield to Harwich Turnpike Trust
16957 & 8 Will. 3. c. 9London to Harwich Roads Act 1695
An Act for repairing the Highways betweene the City of London and the Towne of Harwich in the County of Essex.
  • Thundersley to Hornden Turnpike Trust
179333 Geo. 3. c. 149Essex Roads (No. 2) Act 1793
An Act for repairing and widening the Roads from Hadley Turnpike Gate to Stifford Bridge, and from a Farm House called Tarpotts, to the Town of South Benfleet, and from the Pound in the Town of Brentwood to Tilbury Fort, and from Billericay to Horndon-on-the-Hill, and from Stanford Bridge to Purfleet, in the County of Essex.

Hertfordshire

Trust Founded Initial act
Citation Title
  • Baldock and Bournbridge Turnpike Trust
17699 Geo. 3. c. 86Hertford and Cambridge Roads Act 1769
An Act for repairing the Roads leading from the Turnpike Road in Tring, in the County of Hertford, through Dunstable, Hitchin, Baldick, and Royston, to the Turnpike Road at or near Bourn Bridge, and from the West End of Wellbury Lane to the Turnpike Road at the South End of Barton, in the Counties of Hertford, Bucks, Bedford, and Cambridge.
  • Cheshunt Turnpike Trust
172411 Geo. 1. c. 11Hertford and Ware Roads Act 1724
An Act for repairing the Roads therein mentioned, from the Parish of Enfield, in the County of Middlesex, to the Town of Hertford, and to the great Bridge in Ware, in the County of Hertford.
  • Dunstable Turnpike Trust
17229 Geo. 1. c. 11Dunstable Roads Act 1722
An Act for repairing and widening the Road leading from The Black Bull, in Dunstable, in the County of Bedford, to the Way[b] turning out of the said Road up to Shafford House, in the County of Hertford.
  • Galley Corner to Lemsford Turnpike Trust
  • Enfield Chase or Galley Corner Turnpike Trust
17303 Geo. 2. c. 10Middlesex and Hertford Roads Act 1729
An Act for repairing the Road leading from Galley Corner, adjoining to Enfield Chase, in the Parish of South Mims, in the County of Middlesex, to Lemsford Mill, in the County of Hertford.
  • Hockerill Turnpike Trust
174317 Geo. 2. c. 9Essex and Hertfordshire Roads Act 1743
An Act for repairing and widening the Road leading from a Place called Harlow Bush Common, in the Parish of Harlow, in the County of Essex, to Stump Cross, in the Parish of Great Chesterford, in the said County.
  • Pondyards and Barnet Turnpike Trust
  • St Albans (Pondyards and Barnet) Turnpike Trust
17141 Geo. 1. St. 2. c. 12 Pr.Hertford and Middlesex Highways Act 1715
An Act for repairing the Highways through the several Parishes of St. Michael, St. Albans, St. Peter, Shenly Ridge, and South Mims, in the Counties of Hertford and Middlesex.
17688 Geo. 3. c. 50Reading and Hatfield Road Act 1768
An Act for repairing, widening, turning, and altering, the Road leading from Reading, in the County of Berks, through Henley, in the County of Oxford; and Great Marlow, Chipping Wycombe, Agmondesham, and Cheynes, in the County of Bucks; and Rickmansworth, Watford, and Saint Albans, to Hatfield, in the County of Hertford; and also the Road leading out of the Said Road at Marlow, over Great Marlow Bridge, through Bysham, to or near the Thirty mile Stone in the Turnpike Road leading from Maidenhead to Reading.
17622 Geo. 3. c. 63Hertford and Bucks Roads Act 1762
An Act for amending, widening, altering, and keeping in Repair, the Road from the South End of Sparrow's Herne on Bushey Heath, through the Market Towns of Watford, Berkhampstead Saint Peter's, and Tring, in the County of Hertford, by Pettipher's Elms, to the Turnpike Road at Walton near Aylesbury in the County of Bucks.
  • Stevenage and Biggleswade Turnpike Trust
17196 Geo. 1. c. 25Stevenage and Biggleswade Road Act 1719
An Act for repairing the Roads from Stevenidge, in the County of Hertford, to Biggleswade, in the County of Bedford.
  • Wadesmill Turnpike Trust
166315 Cha. 2. c. 1Road Repair (Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire) Act 1663
An Act for repairing the Highwayes within the Countyes of Hertford Cambridge and Huntington.
17326 Geo. 2. c. 24Hertfordshire Roads Act 1732
An Act for the more effectual repairing the Roads leading from Wade's Mill, in the County of Hertford, to Barley and Royston, in the said County.
  • Watton Turnpike Trust
175730 Geo. 2. c. 45Hertford and Broadwater Road Act 1757
An Act for amending, widening, and keeping in Repair, the Roads from the East End of the Town of Hertford in the County of Hertford, through Watton, to Broadwater, and from the Town of Ware, through Watton, to the North End of the Town of Walkern in the said County.
  • Welwyn Turnpike Trust
172512 Geo. 1. c. 10Hertfordshire Roads Act 1725
An Act for repairing the Roads from Lemsford Mill, in the County of Hertford, to Welwyn, and from thence to Cory's Mill, and from Welwyn (through Codicot) to Hitchin, in the said County; and for enlarging the Term granted by an Act passed in the Sixth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, for repairing the Roads from Steevenage, in the said County, to Biggleswade, in the County of Bedford.

Huntingdonshire

Trust Founded Initial act
Citation Title
  • Bury and Stratton Turnpike Trust
175528 Geo. 2. c. 35Bury and Stratton Road Act 1755
An Act for repairing the Road from a certain Place in Bury, in the County of Huntingdon, through Warboys, Old Hurst, Saint Ives, Hilton, Eltisley, Waresley, Gamlingay, and Potton, to a House called The Spread Eagle in Stratton, within the several Counties of Huntingdon, Cambridge, and Bedford.
  • Godmanchester and Hartford Turnpike Trust
17655 Geo. 3. c. 77Herts and Hunts Roads Act 1765
An Act for enlarging the Terms and Powers of several Acts, of the Ninth and Twelfth Years of Queen Anne, and of the Thirteenth of King George the First, and of the Fourteenth of His late Majesty, for repairing the Highways leading from Royston in the County of Hertford, to Wansford Bridge in the County of Huntingdon, so far as relates to the Middle and South Divisions of Roads comprised in the said Acts; and for amending the Road from the Town of Huntingdon to the Causeway at or near the West End of the Town of Somerham in the said County of Huntingdon.
  • Godmanchester to Cambridge Turnpike Trust
174418 Geo. 2. c. 23Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire Roads Act 1744
An Act to repair and widen the Road leading from Godmanchester, in the County of Huntingdon, through Fen-Stanton and Cambridge, to the First Rubbing-House on Newmarket Heath, in the County of Cambridge.
  • Kimbolton Turnpike Trust
175528 Geo. 2. c. 33Kimbolton Road Act 1755
An Act for repairing the Road from the North End of Brown's Lane in Great Stoughton in the County of Huntingdon, through Kimbolton and Higham Ferrers, to The Way Post near Wellingborough Bridge in the County of Northampton; and from The Pound in Kimbolton to The Way Post in Great Catworth Field, near Brington Bridge, in the said County of Huntingdon.
  • Oundle to Alconbury Turnpike Trust
175326 Geo. 2. c. 88Northampton Roads Act 1753
An Act for repairing the Road leading from Oundle in the County of Northampton to Alconbury cum Weston in the County of Huntingdon, from Barnwell in the said County of Northampton to Alconbury cum Weston aforesaid, and from The Mile Brook in Hamerton to Wood Lane End, next the Parish of Great Gidding, in the said County of Huntingdon.
  • Ramsey to Huntingdon Turnpike Trust
175528 Geo. 2. c. 26Huntingdon Roads Act 1755
An Act for repairing and widening the Road from the High Bridge in the Town of Ramsey, in the County of Huntingdon, through King's Ripton, to the West End of St. Peter's Lane, in the Parish of Saint John, within the Borough of Huntingdon.
  • Somersham Turnpike Trust
17271 Geo. 2. St. 2. c. 4Huntingdonshire Roads Act 1727
An Act for repairing the Road leading from Chatteris Ferry, which divides the Isle of Ely from the County of Huntingdon, to Hammond's Eau; and from thence to Somersham Bridge, at Somersham Town's End, in the said County.
  • Stilton Turnpike Trust
17109 Ann. c. 14Hertford and Huntingdon Roads Act 1710
An Act for repairing and amending the Highways leading from Royston, in the County of Hertford, to Wandesford Bridge, in the County of Huntington.

Norfolk

Suffolk

References

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