Milestone, Zeals

Image: © Maigheach-gheal Taken: 26 Nov 2010

Late 18th century limestone pillar with cast iron plate. The road was turnpiked 1754-56. Turnpikes were administered by turnpike trusts, which were authorised by private act of parliament. The trusts laid down a network of soundly constructed roads throughout the country, replacing parochial maintenance system on many highways and substantially improving communications. The first English turnpike roads were authorised by an act of 1663. By the 1800s there were about 8000 toll-gates and 22,000 miles of highway. The trusts engineers, notably John Macadam, constructed many new roads, which by the 1800s were being utilized by an efficient stagecoach system. However, railway expansion after 1830 led to the rapid decline of stagecoaches and turnpike revenue. Turnpike roads were built by private enterprise under licence from the Government and maintained by tolls on those who used them.

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