Ruth's Blog

If you go in a car over the Humber Bridge, over the Dunham Bridge, or along the M6 Toll Road, you have to pay.  I think the rates are currently £1.50, 50p, and £5.80.  The money contributes to the upkeep of the road. 

Many toll roads were developed in the 18th century.  Until then, the roads in Lincolnshire had been poorly maintained and travelling was difficult and slow.  Road improvement was fundamental to the general development of a town, as roads first provided direct communication with the outside world, and then linked to railways and canals when they were created.

The first toll road near Louth, which came into being in 1765, was from Bawtry near Doncaster through Market Rasen to Louth.

1770, the Louth Turnpike Trust was established.  The roads it repaired and maintained were

• from Louth to Saltfleet
• from Louth through Legbourne to Withern
• from Louth to Horncastle
• from Grimoldby through Cockerington to the canal at Alvingham Lock
• in Louth from the town centre to the canal Riverhead

There were certain places along the toll roads where there was a turnpike – a gate across the road and a house for the toll collector.  Four turnpikes near Louth were on the Horncastle Road at the junction with Halfpenny Lane (see photo); on the road to Market Rasen just west of the Louth Bypass (see painting); on the Spilsby Road at the top of Kenwick Hill; and at the Grimoldby-Manby crossroads.  The toll houses were designed with windows looking out along the road.

Tolls in 1770 were

• for every animal of draught drawing any carriage, 3 pence
• for every horse, mule or beast not drawing, 1½ pence
• for every drove of oxen, cows or meat cattle, 10 pence per score [i.e. ½ penny per animal]
• for every drove of calves, hogs, sheep or lambs, 5 pence per score [i.e. ¼ penny per animal]

There was a £2 fine if you avoided tolls.

Why did Louth Turnpike Trust end?  By the mid-19th century, Louth had a canal and a railway, and these two methods of transport competed with traffic on the roads.  Also, people felt that the toll system was unfair because it was not only those who paid tolls but the whole community who benefitted from improved communications, and so funding for roads eventually came from the public treasury.