Turnpike milestones and toll roads
Up to the middle years of the 18th century, many roads in Britain were little more than dusty tracks in summer, and quagmires in winter.
At around that time, though, turnpike trusts began to operate many of the main, through-routes. The Trusts charged road-users for the privilege of usage, and in return, maintained the roads, replacing the previously haphazard system of parish maintenance.
Strategically placed toll gates were set-up as payment collection points, usually on the edges of towns and villages through which the roads passed, and as a service to passengers, milestones were placed by the roadside, some of which remain in position.
Look out for milestones beside the A337 Cadnam-Lyndhurst-Lymington road; and the A35 Ashurst-Lyndhurst road.
On the A35 from Lyndhurst to Christchurch, the large stones were replaced by smaller, triangular stones on to which metal plates were attached.
Find out more about Lyndhurst's turnpikes and toll roads:
Quick links
More links
Other related links
Search this site
Sadly, 58 animals were killed - 35 ponies, 13 cows, 8 donkeys and 2 sheep, whilst a further 32 were injured - 3 pigs, 9 donkeys, 11 cows and 9 ponies.
(Forty-three accidents occurred in daylight, 15 at twilight and 101 in the dark. Twenty-seven accidents were not reported by the driver involved).
Here's just one horrific example - Three donkeys killed in collision with van at notorious New Forest blackspot (Advertiser and Times)