Lanes and Roads

Although there has been a settlement at Greasby since 8,500BC, the earliest known map showing roads is not until 1784. That map shows lanes linking the village with Irby, West Kirby, Meols, Saughall Massie and Woodside.

The route out of the village towards Woodside (now called Arrowe Road) became a turnpike (toll) road in 1826. The government had passed the Turnpike Acts because the condition of the roads around England had deteriorated. Individuals or groups ("Trusts") could obtain permission to rebuild existing roads or create new ones; they could then charge tolls for use of those roads for a limited period, typically twenty years. The limited period was usually renewed many times.

There were major road changes in 1962 at the centre of the village, involving the demolition of Teapot Row terraced cottages, to straighten the line of Greasby Road.

The second phase of these works, in 1967, involved the demolition of the smithy which had been next to the Coach & Horses. This was in order to widen the junction of Mill Lane and Greasby Road.

The route to Saughall Massie exists only as a footpath now. It starts at Greasby Road between the Manor restaurant car park and the Red Cat public house. The next section is directly in line with that first part, but its entrance on Frankby Road is hidden by bushes. This path then runs behind the houses between Chidden Close and Chippenham Avenue, past Greasby ponds, through the fields to Saughall Massie.