Toll houses

Littleover Historical Society June 2025

Have you noticed the Toll House on Burton Road and thought about the role it played during the 18th and early 19th century.  In Littleover at that time, we also had a Toll House on Chain Lane and Uttoxeter Road near the Rowditch  ."Turnpike Trusts" were set up to manage a section of road in order to pay for the cost of making and maintaining the road. In order to do this, Toll Houses were built to restrict access to the road until the fee was paid.  The charge wasn't cheap; it was recorded that the charge to take livestock along the road was Is 8d for taking a score (12) of cattle and 10d for pigs and sheep. Not surprisingly, many farmers avoided these roads. There was also a graded charge for carriages, wagons and hand carts. Many Toll Houses were also in charge of chains, as in Chain Lane, and weighing machines. The policy of using this way to fund the maintenance of the roads wasn't popular and in time, many "Turnpike Trusts"  became bankrupt.

13th June - we next meet at 10am at Littleover Grange Hall Community Centre, Park Lane. Visitors welcome, join us for a chat and refreshments, £3. Come along or contact    Jan 01332 348903 or jan.dante@virgin.net