Turnpike trusts were established in England and Wales from about 1706 in response to the need for better roads than the few and poorly-maintained tracks then available. Turnpike trusts were set up by individual Acts of Parliament, with powers to collect road tolls to repay loans for building, improving, and maintaining the principal roads in Britain. At their peak, in the 1830s, over 1,000 trustsParliamentary Papers, 1840, Vol 280 xxvii. administered around of turnpike road in England and Wales, taking tolls at almost 8,000 toll-gates.
turnpike trusts were established in england and wales from about 1706 in response to the need for better roads than the few and poorly-maintained tracks then available turnpike trusts were set up by individual acts of parliament with powers to collect road tolls to repay loans for building improving and maintaining the principal roads in britain at their peak in the 1830s over 1000 trustsparliamentary papers 1840 vol 280 xxvii administered around of turnpike road in england and wales taking tolls at almost 8000 toll-gates