Roads & The Turnpikes Trusts
By 18th Century the roads in England were generally reckoned to be the worst in Europe and Rotherham was no exception. Turnpike trusts were set up, sometimes against considerable opposition, to improve and maintain the roads, but of course they charged tolls for the use of something that had previously been free. I'm sure toll dodging soon became a major pastime amongst Yorkshire folk, and they've been doing it ever since albeit with somewhat different taxes. Between 1740 and 1790 virtually all the main roads in Rotherham and indeed in South Yorkshire were turnpiked. In typical fashion there was no overall plan but different companies dealt with different bits.
Stockport to Woodhead Turnpike Act 1732
The first road turnpiked in Rotherham was a section of the old salt road from Hartcliffe Hill near Barnsley to Rotherham, passing over Thorpe Common and through Kimberworth: the tollgate was at the bottom of Bradgate Lane. Changes in trading patterns and new road and canal routes diverted much of the trade from this route and the trust became insolvent in 1762. A new trust dealing with the section from Rotherham to Wortley was sanctioned in 1788.
Rotherham and Pleasley Road Turnpike Act 1764
An Act was passed in 1764 to allow the turnpiking of the route called Rotherham and Pleasley Road which travelled up Mansfield Road to Moorgate Road, passed over the Town Moor, through Whiston and to Swallownest and Clowne. Toll houses were at Mile Oak and Whiston Crossroads. This crossed the Tinsley and Bawtry turnpike at Whiston Crossroads.
Barnsley Turnpike
The old road from Rotherham to Barnsley was in poor condition and the Marquis of Rockingham used his influence to have the route diverted through his own estates to meet the Sheffield, Barnsley and Wakefield Turnpike at Hood Hill. There were tollgates at Rotherham, Cinder Bridge Greasbrough and Wentworth.
The Sheffield to Doncaster Turnpike
The Sheffield to Doncaster route was also turnpiked from 1759. The Tinsley to Doncaster section gained its Act in 1764. It passed through Rotherham with a tollgate at the eastern end of Doncaster Road. The route originally planned bypassed Thrybergh and Hooton Roberts but the inhabitants petitioned the Marquis of Rockingham who used his influence to have the line of the turnpike changed. So we know who to blame for the thunderous traffic that roars through both these villages today.
Tolls varied according to the type of wagon or carriage and the amount of wear and tear it caused on the road. Records show that on the Rotherham to Hartcliffe Hill road coaches paid 1 shilling if drawn by 4 horses, 6d if drawn by two and 4d if drawn by one. Wagons similarly had differential rates whilst droves of cattle paid 10d a score and calves or sheep 5d per score. There was a great increase in long distance public transport with mail coaches and stage coaches and coaching inns to serve the needs of travellers. Local transport was provided by carriers who established regular services between Rotherham and the outlying villages especially for markets and fairs.
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