Exeter Turnpike Roads (updated 24th Sept
2013)
This city-centred
trust was established in 1753 to manage a very large network of roads radiating
from
J House of Commons - Reports
A Petition of the gents, clergy and
freeholders and principal inhabitants residing in and near the City of
That several highways therein after mentioned ;
From lower end of
And from the Gallows of the
And St Agnes Chapel,
And from said chapel to
And the said St Agnes Chapel to town of
And bottom of causeway in Parish of St David’s to Crediton
And Severn Stars in
And from Plymouth Inn in Parish of
And from said
And from Alphington church to Crablake
And from
And from bound stone of Larkbear
to town of
And from foot of Magdalen
Hill,
Are said to be ruinous n the Winter season and cannot by ordinary means be repaired.
Taking note of preceding petition added;
That it is necessary that the repair of the
road from St Agnes Chapel should be carried on and extended from
And that a road leading from Pynes Bridge in the Parish of Upton Pynes (in the road from St David’s to Crediton) to Pollard Oak, otherwise Starved Oak in Upton Pynes
Also road from Newbridge in Parish of Newton St Cyres (in way from St David’s to Crediton) to Radon Cross in Parish of Shoobroke should be repaired and amended home to Raddon Cross
And road from Little John’s Cross in Parish of Alphington (being in the road from St Thomas’s to Dunsford) to the Smiths shop near Hall-Down House in Parish of Kenn should also be repaired and amended home to the Smith shop,
And that said four several roads are become ruinous in the winter season
Report by Mr William Young - In support of allegations Edward Collins Esq and George Ewings said that the roads are in a very ruinous condition and in several places are very narrow and incommodious.
7th March 1753 - Petition for an exemption for Furze to lie on table 6;
A petition of the gents clergy freeholders
and leaseholders living the westward of the City of
Petitioners are informed that there is intended to be laid a toll of one penny for every horse passing thru said roads to Exeter; and representing to the house that many thousand acres of land in the said neighbourhood produce nothing but furze, the real value of which, standing in the ground, does not exceed two pence the horse load and the grounds themselves are not capable of further improvement; and that the principal, or rather only market which the petitioners have to dispose of the same in the city of Exeter. And that the petitioners are informed that bricks, dressing for grounds and several other things, which must pass on the said roads, and are ten times the value of the said furze are, by the said bill in pended to be allowed to pass toll free
Pray furze may pass toll free. ref to comm. 9
Petition for provision to repair the road
from
A petition of principal inhabitants of Woodbury, Eastbudleigh, Bicton, Colleton, Rawleigh, Otterton, Sidmouth, Salcombe, Branscombe, Beer and Seaton, Clist St Mary and Clist St George; take note of application in particular roads that lie within 10 miles of the City, That the road leading from a place called Clist Bridge to the top of Woodbury Hill, being the road from several parishes to Exeter is not intended to be repaired but tolls will be arising from the Act, whereas the said road is out of repair and within 10 miles of the city and the petitioners will largely contribute to the said turnpikes and therefore expressing the hope that the house will take the case into consideration and grant them such relief as house see fit.
To prove the petition, William Stuckey said
the road from
road from Crediton to
Inhabitants of Crediton alleges that
erecting turnpikes around the city of
The road leading to Crediton is in some places a very fine road and that all the rest of it may very well be properly repaired by Statute Labour only; and that all the parishes thru which it extends are very willing and able at their own expense to put then in as good repair as they possibly can
If bill passed insert clause that any money raised on the Crediton road be expended in repairing that road and not others.
Petition relating to the road from Topsham to Lympstone 7 Mar 1753;
Gentlemen, clergy freeholders and inhabitants residing near the road from Topsham to Lympstone; that road at end of Topsham town thru a lane called Pound Lane and from thence behind the town to Topsham Bridge and thence thru and to a lane called Suxpitch‘s Lane in Parish of Clist St George and to Ebford Village and thence to Exon (otherwise village) Exton Pound and to Higher Nutwell and Gulliford villages in Parish of Woodbury and thence to Burnt House nigh Lympstone; - is at present in a very ruinous condition and in many places very narrow and inconvenient and those whose occupations oblige them to travel to Exeter will very greatly contribute to the turnpike and pray consider adding this road.
In support Claude Passavant Esq said the road is very ruinous condition and in places very narrow – agree to include.
Petition relating to the road from Crediton to Okehampton 28 Mar 1753
Gentlemen clergy freeholder living near and
usually travelling road from Crediton to
Ordered also that road from Crediton to Crediton Forches and from thence to Barnstaple Cross in Parish of Crediton and thence thru Bow (otherwise Nimet Tracey) to Okehampton;
Petition relating to the road from Crediton to Chumleigh 28 ; Inst 29;
To prove allegations Mr Joseph Johnson and Thomas Peake said the road is in ruinous condition and in several places narrow and incommodious
Thomas Edbury confirmed this and said that the distance from Kirton to Bow otherwise is called Nimet Tracy is 7 miles but believes it measures 9 miles.
John Hippersley Cox Esq travels the road from Kirton to Chumley which was in so ruinous a condition that he thought himself in danger of his life.
Ordered make provision for Crediton, Forches Barnstaple Cross to Bow and Crediton to Chawleigh road as far as Chulmleigh
Royal Assent 15th May 1753
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29/30
Geo II Parl 5 Sess 3; A
1755-56
Exeter Roads to raise money; 1st Dec,
A petition of gents, clergy, freeholders and principal inhabitants residing in and near City of Exeter for amending several roads leading from Exeter, power as given to named trustees to take up at interest on credit of tolls a sum not exceeding £15,000 - and money has been borrowed and applied but sum is found insufficient need bill to raise a further sum.
5 Dec ; Sir Richard Warwick Bamfylde reported;
to prove allegations a Member present informed Committee that £15k had been applied but the roads being 120 miles in length the sum is inadequate
Royal assent 9th mar
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Vol 32 9 Geo III
Petition by Trustees of Act of 26 Geo II and another Act of 29 Geo II executed the Act but cannot be effectively amended unless powers enlarged and continued
Part of road from bottom of causeway nearest North Gate in Parish of St David’s to town of Crediton being part of road in Act, called St David’s Hill and the entrance to city from bottom of causeway through Northgate Street is very steep and dangerous and incommodious to travellers and it would be great public convenience if amended from St David’s Hill thru Howell’s Lane, Pound Lane and Longbrooke Street in Parish of St David’s to the Oxford Inn near East gate.
And road leading from present TP road from Exeter to Chudley Bridge, called Alphington Cross in Parish of Alphington, thru Parish of Alphington, St Thomas and Brampford Speke by St Thomas’s Pound and Exweek, to the Smith’s shop near Cowley Bridge in Parish of Bramford Speke on present road from Exeter to Crediton, is so narrow, ruinous and bad, that cannot by repaired by course be amended.
1st Feb 1769
A small number of trustees are applying for the new Act – petition say it is contrary to the sense and opinion of petitioners being a very considerable majority of a very numerous meeting, held expressly for purpose of considering making the new roads; petition signed by a number of persons feelings of and not concerned therein and living some distance
Petitioners apprehend that making and repairing these roads will diminish the tolls and divert money collected to purposes different from those appropriated by the Act – will weaken the security of petitioners and creditors of tolls.
15th Feb 1769
Recognise that the top of road from The Hoop in West Cross in Tiverton to Ford Village Water will be of little use unless new road made from St David’s Hill to Oxford Inn, by which means is the present steep, dangerous and narrow and incommodious entrance to the city thu North Gate
And also present steep and mountainous road
over Stoke Hill between Tiverton and
Note some inhabitants and persons with
interests in
21 Feb 1769
Petition of a subdivision of TP road from Exeter to Crediton, have proposal made contrary to an order made by vast majority at meeting held on 8th Aug, and that these petitioners have borrowed £5,400 and that 7 years expenditure has exceeded income, much interest is due, several bills unpaid and a large sum is wanting to put roads in proper repair; and for new road no part of it being a public road, the expense will be great and a moderate toll will be insufficient to cover and pay expense of purchasing the land – so Creditors will be injured; Travellers from E and W parts of county will be lessened to detriment and loss.
27 Feb 1769
Petition of some of the trustees that road leading from Alphington church and Crab Lake in Parish of Exminster at or near Barshill Oak Corner, to and thru a ford across Exe and Countess Wear and thence to TP road from Larksbear to Topsham at the Red Post leading to Riding Lane, is a public Highway in a ruinous condition and narrow and incommodious and ford is frequently dangerous to passengers – would be public utility if a bridge were erected.
Petition from Mayor and Alderman
And way from West gate thru Rock Lane is very dangerous an incommodious and way from West Gate to St John’s church in Fore Street is exceedingly narrow in places and in others so very steep that it is unsafe for travellers, especially carriages
And the approach to Northgate Hill is narrow by reason of several houses projecting into the street that 2 carriages cannot pass
Impower trustees to widen and repair the bridge or erect a new one and make such purchases as may be necessary to render the avenues to the city more safe and borrow a sum not exceed £8000 and levy certain tolls for widening bridge
6 March 1769
Sir George Yong reported
In support of 1, 3 and 4th pets
Mr Robert Pullen said that the trustees have proceeded and executed Act and borrowed £23,250 which with tolls have been applied – but cannot be completely repaired and money repaid unless powers continued and enlarged
To prove petitions 6 and 8
Mr John Jesper said
To prove 7th
Lyle Moxham Esq said the Ford is frequently dangerous to passengers, many lives have been lost attempting to pass. A member present added that the stream being so strong as to carry his horse down it.
10 Apr 1769
Pet of mayor and bailiffs and commonality of Exeter – noted Countess Wear bridge – petitioners are proprietors of the navigable canal with banks thereto adjoin, situated in parish of Exminster with purpose of bringing mast vessels with wares from high seas to the city – covenants to repair a bridge for convenience of Lord of Manor of Exminster – proposed road leads to this movable bridge – and road is not a public road (only for tenants of Lord). If road widened will be more traffic and cause damage and increase expense of annual repair; sums needed to allow defray these expenses
A petition from Samuel Webber and Thomas Nostworthy of Topsham – proprietors of a ferry over the Exe from Topsham to Exminster Marshes – road to ferry is private property let at £30/a – the road to the ford is not a public road and if a bridge built will decrease considerably toll from ferry – Ford is 1.5 miles from ferry. Would be equitable to allow for injury.
12 Aril 1769
Petition of several gents from
The high road leading from Morchard being end of one of the roads in the act to the beginning of the South Molton TP road leading to Chumleigh is ruinous - add to bill.
13 Apr 1769
Mr Walter reported
To prove the allegation Sir John Chichester said road from Morchard where Exeter TP ends, through Lapford to TP road near Chawley is ruinous
Mr William Hayman confirmed this.
;
This Act led to the turnpiking of the road from St
David’s, up over
Vol 34 13 GeoIII
29 Jan 1773
Pet of trustees of Act of 9 Geo III
Petitioners have proceeded with Act but it
cannot be properly repaired without further £3000 (inc
new road and
Also proceeding to build new bridge over Exe; they will need another £7000.
New bridge at Countess Weir proceeded, used the £3000 and need another £2000
Want the Howells road to Oxford Inn (currently separate trustees) to be subject direction of general trustees
Have been various frauds and inconveniences regarding the bridges.
12 Feb 1773
Petition from
Road branching off TP leading to Cullompton at a place called the Crab Tree Alehouse in Parish of Broad Clyst is at present the accustomed road to Tiverton and other trading towns to the sea port at Topsham and also the most convenient road for carriages to Taunton and so this be made part of Exeter Trust.
17 Feb 1773
Sir George Yonge rpt
To prove – Mr Adam Pierce, clerk to trustees said trust had widened several roads
Mr William Langford said considerable sums expended on 130 miles of road – has been difficulty and expense in procuring materials in several parts – recent survey shows it cannot be completed without £3k for Bridge over Exe; had expended £7k and needed £3k
Mr Robert Stribbling, surveyor of the bridge said laid out £1k – that works were excessively bad, the water having worked 4 feet under the foundation of one abutment which must be taken down.
Will be necessary to take down some homes to make avenues so to complete will need £3k
Mr William Langford said trust had built bridge at Countess Weir and amended the road for £2,610 but £2k needed to finish it. Mr Adam Pierce said it would be proper to incorporate the road from Oxford Inn to Howell’s House with the other roads - £300 having been paid out in amending this road which is now owing but no tollgate can be erected since the road is still bad.
M Stibbing said
road from Cullompton to
A member confirmed that Broad Clyst had expended £100 on the road last year but road is no better and in places narrow.
23 Mar 1773
Pet of Sheriff, Grand Jury of Devon, trustees of Exeter TP
Note cross road from Crab tree on Cullompton road over Broad Clyst Heath to Withibridge in the Poltimore road and from Pin Pound thru Monkerton village and Moor Lane over Clyst Common through Riding Lane to the Red Post in Topsham road – communicates with several TPs and is shorter and easier for carriages as that means of avoiding several great hills going from Tiverton, Taunton Cullompton to Exeter and port of Topsham
At present there are several stop gates on road so travellers pay Exeter TP for passing thereon, although road is only part of roads under Act – and so now ruinous and in decay
Pray take in the cross road.
26 Feb 1773
Petition of several trustees of Exeter TP
The road from Barnstaple Cross in Parish of Crediton to Copplestone Stone is very narrow and founderous and inconvenient – persons travelling to Crediton and are levied a toll at Barnstaple Cross without reaping benefit as they only cross the TP – parishioners of Crediton ready to effectually repair this road if they received money from trustees and then include in TP
The road from a gate near Broadway in Parish of Sandford leading thru Hennerleigh, Washford Pyne, Woolfardisworth, Willeridge, Thelbridge and East Worlington to Drayford Bridge where South Molton TP ends is rendered in great measure useless by want of such communication, is also very narrow and founderous and parishes incapable of maintaining so add to Exeter TP if trustees could erect a gate on this road – but keep toll independent of general trust.
8 Mar 1773
Petition from inhabitants of
Several roads leading from Pin Pound in Parish of Pinhoe thru Monkerton to Great London Road and thru More Lane in Parish of Soton to the Red Post in Topsham TP road and from Broadclyst Heath to the Crown and Sceptre in Broadclyst and from thence thru Rockbere and Aylesbere to the Lyme TP on Aylebere Hill and from Woodbury Hill where Exeter TP ends over the hill thru Yatington in Parish of Bicton, to the pillar at the 4 ways cross at the end of Bicton Lane and also the road from Streetwayhead in Parish of Whimple to Fair Mile Bridge in Parish of Ottery St Mary – which roads communicate with those intended to be Turnpiked – are ruinous and pray include.
28 April 1773
Petition of several trustees of 9 Go III Act
That road leading from
If the road from Crab Tree Alehouse was carried thru Broadclyst to Withybridge by the Black Dog an thence over Broadclyst Heath to the Crown and Sceptre in the Great London Road and from Withy bridge by Pin Pound and Monkerton thru Moor Lane and by Sandy Gate to the TP at the Red Cow alehouse it would be a great advantage by opening a communication with Topsham.
And road from Sandy Gate thru Ridings Lane to Red Post in Topsham Road would be an advantage if this was as under direction of trustees building Countess weir Bridge and direct road to Topsham above put under Exeter TP trust.
29 Apr 1773
Sir GeorgeYouge reported
To prove John Short Esq said road from Moor lane by Sandy Gate to TP at Red Cow is ruinous
Road from Crab Tree Alehouse was carried thru town of Broadclyst to Withy bridge, by the Black Dog and from thence over Broadclyst Heath to the Crown and Sceptre on the Great London Road, and from Withy Bridge by Pin Pound and Monckerton thru Moor Lane by Sandy Gate directly to the red Cow would be an advantage
And the road from the turning near Sandy Gat thru Riding Lane to the Red Post were put under the direction of the trustees for building the bridge at Countess wear and direct road under Exeter TP Trustees.
List of
Acts
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26 Geo2 c38 |
1753 |
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29 Geo2 c55 |
1756 |
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Exe Bridge &
Countess Wear; |
9 Geo3 c93 |
1769 |
|
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Link road from
Broad Clyst to Topsham |
13 Geo3 c109 |
1773 |
|
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43 Geo3 c122 |
1803 |
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55 Geo3 c12 |
1815 |
|
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New section of
road between Pocombe Hill and Taphouse |
1/2 Geo4 c37 |
1821 |
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New |
7 Geo4 c25 |
1826 |
|
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New road from Dunchideock to Exminster |
1&2 Wil4 c62 |
1831 |
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|
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New branch for |
3&4 Vic c81 |
1840 |
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New road |
15&16 Vic c154 |
1852 |
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Continuation for
10 years |
37&38 Vic c95 |
1874 |
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Trust Expired
Nov 1884 |
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Nov 1884 |
An Act for repairing, widening, and improving the
several Roads leading to and from the City of Exeter, and for making certain
new Lines of Road to communicate with the same; and for keeping in repair Exe
Bridge and Countess Wear Bridge. [22d March 1826.]
Act shall be put in execution for the Purpose of making,
amending, diverting, varying, altering, widening, straightening,
improving, and maintaining in repair
the several Roads herein-after described ; the present Turnpike Road leading from the
lower End of Paris Street in the
County of the said City of Exeter, through
the Village of Heavitree, to a
Place called Straitway Head in the Parish of Whimple in the County of Devon,
which is called The Honiton Road ; also the present
Turnpike Road leading from the
Foot of Magdalen Hill to
a Place called Liverydole, where it
joins the said last-mentioned Road; also the present Turnpike Road
leading from the late Gallows of the
said County of Devon, in the said Parish of Heavitree,
through the Villages of Clist Saint
Mary and Bishop's Clist, to a Place called Aylesbear
Hill leading to Newton Poppleford
in the Parish of Aylesbear, which is
called The Sidmouth Road; and also from a Place called Clist Bridge to the Top of Woodbury Hill in the Parish of Woodbury,
which is called The Woodbury Road; and also the present
Turnpike Road from Staint Agnes Chapel,
in the County of the said City of Exeter, to the Black Dog, and
from thence through Broadclist Town to
a Place formerly called The
Crab Tree Alehouse, in the Parish
of Broadclist; and also the present
Turnpike Road leading from the Black Dog aforesaid, over and across Broadclist
Heath, to the Crown and Sceptre, in the Road
leading from Exeter to Honiton,
and from thence through the Parishes of: Rockbear
and Aylesbear to the Lime Turnpike
Road on Aylesbear Hill; and also for
making a new Road or diverting the
present Road at the Black Dog aforesaid, towards Broadclist
aforesaid; and also the present Turnpike Road leading from Pin Pound in
the Parish of Pinhoe, through Monkerton, into the Honiton Road, and
crossing the same Road through, Moor Lane by Sandy Gate, to where
the House formerly known by the Name of The Red Cow Alehouse, near to
the Town of Topsham, formerly stood; and
also the present Turnpike
Road from Saint Agnes Chapel aforesaid, over Stoke Hill, to the Town
of Cullompton, which is called The Old Cullompton Road; and
also the present Turnpike Road
from the Way Post situate on Stoke Hill aforesaid, where the Road
diverges towards the Town of Cullompton
aforesaid, through the Villages of Stoke Canon and Rew, to its Junction with the present Tiverton Turnpike Road,
which Road is called The Tiverton Road; and also the present Roads from
the Bottom of the Causeway nearest to the Place where North Gate formerly
stood, in the Parish of Saint David in
the County of the said City of Exeter, over Saint David's
Hill, by way of Cowley Bridge, to the White Hart Inn, in
part of the Town of Crediton, which Road is called The
Crediton Road, and from thence to a Place called Crediton Forches, and from thence to a Place called Barnstaple Cross, in the Parish of Crediton,
and from thence to a Place called Coplestone Stone, and also to Bow otherwise
called Nymet Tracey ; and also for
making a new Road or diverting the present Road from the Three Horse Shoes in
the Road leading to Crediton aforesaid, to the Spinning Path at
the Entrance to the Town of Crediton,
and passing through the Town of Crediton,
to Narrow Street; and also for making a new Road or diverting the
Road by this Act intended to be made Turnpike, from Narrow Street in the
said Town of Crediton, to or near to Barnstaple
Cross aforesaid; and also for making a new Road or diverting the present Road from Barnstaple
Cross aforesaid, to or near to a Place
called Coplestone Stone; and also for
making a new Road from thence to Eggesford Bridge in the Parish
of Chawleigh, so as to join an intended new Turnpike Road from Barnstaple; and also the present Turnpike Road from Crediton Forches
aforesaid, by way of New Buildings, through the Village
of Morchard, leading through Lapford, to
the adjoining Turnpike Road, at or near to a Place called Chawley, which Road is called The Chumleigh Road; and also the present Turnpike Road
from a Gate near Broadway
in the Parish of Sandford, to
a Place called Drayford Bridge, where
it joins the Southmolton
Turnpike Road, which Road is called The Drayford
Road; and also the present Turnpike Road
branching off on the Right of the Road leading to Crediton, over Pyne’s Bridge in the Parish of Upton Pyne, to the Great Oak or Starved Oak in Upton
Pyne aforesaid; and also the present Turnpike
Road branching on the Right of the same
Road leading to Crediton, over New
Bridge in the Parish of Newton Saint Cyres, to
Raddon Cross in the Parish of Shobrooke; and also the present Turnpike Road from near the Foot of the Hill in the Turnpike Road from Exeter, on the North
Side of Saint David's Hill, by
the Scite of
a House formerly known by the Name of Howell's House, through Howell
Lane, by way of the Devon County Gaol,
into Longbrooke Street, and from thence
to the Scite of the late Oxford
Inn, near where the East
Gate of the said City
of Exeter formerly stood;
and also for making a new Road
from the New London Inn in the Parish of Saint David's in the County of the said
City of Exeter, by a Line on the Eastern
side of Elm Field House, to or near adjoining Duryard
Lodge Gate, into the present Turnpike Road leading from Exeter to Cowley
Bridge ; and also for making a new Road from Cowley Bridge to the Exeter
Turnpike Road near Stoke
Bridge ; and also the present Turnpike Road from the Bound
Stone at Larkbear in the Parish of The Holy Trinity in the
County of the said City of Exeter, to the Town of Topsham, which Road is called The
Topsham Road, and from thence through Pound Lane to Topsham
Bridge, and from thence through the Villages of Ebford,
Exton otherwise Exon, Higher Nutwelll, and Gulliford,
to a Place called Burnt House in
the Parish of Lympstone
in the said County of Devon, and
which last Road is called The Lympstone Road ; and also the present Turnpike Road
from the Seven
Stars at the Bridge Foot in the
Parish of Saint Thomas the Apostle, to the Three Mile
Stone from Exeter in the same Road,
and which is called The
Whitstone Road ; and also the present Turnpike Road branching from the Right
of the Turnpike Gate at Exwick Cross called
The Oakhampton Gate, to a
Place called Cowley Cross, which Road is called The Exwick Road; and
also the present Turnpike Road from a House distinguished
by the Name of The Plymouth Inn in the said Parish of Saint
Thomas the Apostle, through the
Village of Alphington, and by way of Kenn
Ford, to the Top of the Hollow
Way beyond Lord Clifford's Park, which Road is called The Newton Bushell Road
; and also for making a new Road
or diverting the present Road
at Waybrook in the
Road
leading from Alphington
aforesaid, towards Kenn Ford ;
and also for making a new Road or diverting the present Road from a Place called Red
Cross in the same Road, towards Kenn Ford aforesaid ; and also the present
Road from or near to the Five Mile Stone on the Newton Bushell Road, by the Race Stands on Haldon, through
the Town of Chudleigh, to Chudleigh Bridge in the Parish
of Chudleigh, which Road is called The Chudleigb
Road ; and also the present
Turnpike Road from the Head of Alphington
Village, by way of
Shillingford towards Haldon
House, to Clapton Brook near the Four Mile Stone on
the same Road, which Road is called The Shillingford
Road ; and also for making a new Road or diverting the present Road from the aforesaid Plymouth Inn to near the
Village of Alphington aforesaid ; also the present Turnpike Road from Alphington Church, leading through the Village of Exminster, to a
Place called Crab Lake in the
said Parish of Exminster, which
Road is called The Powderham Road ; and also for making a new Road or diverting the present
Road from or near to a House called The Cot, to the End of a
Road leading to or from Countess Wear Bridge ; and also for making a new Road from or near to
the Three Mile Stone on the Powderham Road,
to a Place near adjoining the Powderham Stopgate
; and also the present Turnpike Road from the Church of Saint Thomas the
Apostle aforesaid, by way of Pokem
Bridge towards Dunsford, to the
Junction with the Moreton
Turnpike Trust, which Road is called The Dunsford
Road ; and also for making a new Road to
diverge out of and on the Right Side of the present Road leading from Exeter to Dunsford
aforesaid, from or near to a Place called Mount Hindrance, to the Foot of Culver House Hill in the same Road ; and also for
making a new Road or diverting the present Road from or near to Farrant's Bridge, in the Road leading from Exeter to the Smith's
Shop at the Commencement of the
Moreton Hampstead Turnpike Trust ; and also the present
Turnpike Road from Little Johns Cross
in the Parish of Alphington to the Smith's Shop near
Haldon House in the Parish of
Kenn, which is culled 'The Dunchideock
Road; ;and for making a new
Road or diverting the present
Road leading from Ide Village to
the Cross Roads at the Top of
Ide Hill in the Road leading from Ide to Dunchideock
aforesaid ; and also the present Road from Pokem
Bridge in the Road leading
to Dunsford aforesaid to
Taphouse Turnpike Gate, and from thence
to Crockernwell
in the Parish of Cheriton Bishop, which Road is called
The Taphouse and Qakampton Road; and
also for making a new
Road or diverting the present Road from or near to Taphouse Turnpike Gate
to the Eight Mile Stone
in the Road leading from Exeter
to Crockernwell, and also for
making a new Road or diverting the
present Road at or near to and
over a Stream called Poleford Water in the same Road and
also for
building and repairing
Exe Bridge, and making the Avenues leading
thereto more commodious; and also
the present Turnpike Road leading out
of the Turnpike Road between Alphington
Church and Crab Lake aforesaid,
at or near a Lane called Bear's
Hill Oak Corner, to and through a
Ford called Countess Wear, and from thence across the
Topsham Turnpike Road at a Place called The Red
Post leading to Riding Lane ,-
and for
building and repairing the Bridge
at Countess Wear ; all
which said Roads, and the said Bridges
called Exe Bridge and Countess
Wear Bridge, are situate
in the
County of the City of Exeter or County of Devon respectively.
An Act to
amend an Act of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, for repairing the
several Roads leading to and from the City of Exeter, and for making certain
new Lines of Road to communicate with the same, and for keeping in repair Exe
Bridge and Countess Wear Bridge; and to make and maintain other Roads
communicating with the said Roads. [23d August 1831.]
for the Purpose of making and maintaining the Lines of Road and Deviations from the present Lines of Road herein-after mentioned ; (that is to say) a Road from Belmont Lodge to Longbrook Street, another Road from the .Red Cow Turnpike Gate to Exe Bridge, and a Branch Road, commencing in the Hilly Field above the Herd Wear, and terminating in the Field next adjoining the County Gaol, to connect the same Two Roads, all in the County of the City of Exeter or in the County Devon; and also a Road from Barnstaple Cross to the White Hart Inn in the Parish of Crediton in the said County of Devon; also a Road from Dunchideock to .Lower Shillingford in the Parishes of Dunchideock , Shillingford, and Exminster in the said County of Devon, also several Deviations from the Road between the Five Mile Stone and New Cross Turnpike Gate House in the Parish of Kingsteignton in the said County of Devon, on the Turnpike Road leading from Exeter to Newton Bushell; also a Deviation near the Twelve Mile Stone in the .Drayford Road, through Kennerleigh Wood, in tho Parishes of Kennerleigh and Sandford in the County of Devon; also a Deviation from near Heavitree Bridge, in the Road from Honiton to .Exeter, to the One Mile Stone from .Exeter in the Parish of Heavitree in the said County of Devon; also to make Turnpike the Highway from .Beggar's Bush-on-Haldon to Chudleigh in the Parish of Chudleigh; also Deviations in the Road leading through Exwick to Exeter in the Parish of Saint Thomas the Apostle in the County of Devon.
An
Act to improve certain Parts of the Line of Road between the Borough of
Plymouth and the City of Exeter, through Ashburton and Chudleigh, in the County
of Devon. [22d June 1820.]
Select Committee on State of Roads 1840
Mark Kennaway of
There are 146 miles 6 furl. of road thru 54 parishes – all repaired by
the trustees
25 toll gates and 5 side gates
The roads are stated to be in “good” condition – no part under
indictment for want of repair.
The trust has not called on Statute Labour for
above twenty years.
Report to Secretary of State 1852
BPP Vol. 44 (1852) - No. 35.—
Pursuant
to the directions of the Act of
the 3d and 4th of William IV. cap. 80, the Trustees of the Exeter Roads transmitted to the
Secretary of State, on the 13th of December last, a copy of their resolutions,
directing an application to Parliament to alter the provisions and extend the
term of the several Local Acts, as under:—
" Resolved; That application be made to
Parliament to continue the term of and alter the provisions of the Exeter
Turnpike Acts.
Resolved, That when parliamentary powers can be obtained for that purpose, the table of tolls to be thenceforth collected on the roads of this Trust shall be according to the table now presented and read, and signed by the chairman of this meeting.
That such tolls shall include the additional tolls directed to be levied by the General Turnpike Act on narrow wheels of all descriptions.
That by such contemplated new Act the Trustees be authorized to take down, wholly remove the toll-houses and gates, and to discontinue to collect tolls at the Three Horse Shoes and Upton Pyne Toll-gates.
That power be included in such new Act of Parliament to widen and improve the road situated between the Mount Radford Turnpike Toll-gate and the Windmill Inn in Holloway Street in the county of the city of Exeter, so much of the said improvement as is situated in the said county of the city of Exeter being to be executed on condition that the city authorities contribute one-half of the outlay in the whole work, or some other proportion to be agreed to by the Trustees.
Also by the said application to Parliament to obtain a power to continue and uphold the Exeter Turnpike Trust for an extended term of years.
That
power be also taken by the intended new Act to make a new piece of road between the west pier of the entrance
gateway of the Crediton Union Workhouse to the junction of the
And to abandon such part of the present Turnpike road as is situate between Barnstaple Cross and the top of the hill at Fouches Cross, where the road intersects the Drayford Turnpike Road; and also to abandon so much of the Topsham Turnpike Road as is situated between the blacksmith's shop occupied by one Westcott on the said road, and the higher corner of a field in the possession of Alexander Hamilton Hamilton, Esq., opposite to certain cottages belonging to one John Floyd, which part of the said Topsham Road is known as and called Pound Lane, and is situate in the parish of Topsham.
And that power be taken by the said intended new Act to take and adopt as Turnpike the piece of parish road situate between the back part of a house occupied by F. W. L. Ross, Esq., in the parish of Topsham, and the top of a certain highway called Taylor's Lane, and to widen and improve the same highway where necessary.
Also by the said intended new Act to obtain such powers as may be necessary to enable the Trustees to carry out the powers of the present Local Act of Parliament, so far as relates to improving the Moreton Turnpike Road between Ready Bridge and Pocombe Bridge, and to levy a toll in respect thereof.
Resolved, That it be an instruction to the Committee to consider whether the clause prohibiting the gates on each side of the river clearing each other need be continued.
Resolved, That the clerk be authorized to
obtain a clause to abate the nuisance occasioned by parties making and using
sliding places, trundling hoops, or any other such annoyance on the Turnpike
roads.”
The following Local Acts are in force for the
management of these roads :— the 7th of George IV. cap. 25., which repealed two
former Acts (the 55th of George III. and
the 2d of George IV.), and extended the
roads of the Trust; the 1st and
2nd of William IV. cap. 62., which
amended the preceding Act, and empowered the Trustees to make certain
new lines of road; and the 3d of
By the above Act of the 7th
of George IV. separate Trustees were appointed for the management of the
In the year 1820, an Act was passed (the 1st of
George IV. cap. 21.) for making improvements upon certain portions of the
Turnpike road between
As separate accounts are annually transmitted
for the districts of road previously referred to, it may be convenient to
notice the peculiar circumstances of each.
1.—
The roads belonging to this district are stated
at about 147 miles in length, upon which there are twenty-three toll-gates,
exclusive of the Red Cow Gale and the Elmfield Gate within
the city of
It appears from a return ordered by the House of Commons on the 28th of July 1849, that the total sum borrowed during the existence of this Trust was £121,850, some portion of which was borrowed as early as the year 1753. In the year 1835 the debt was £110.200, and on the 31st of December 1850 was reduced to £66,900.
The Trustees, in the year 1838, resolved not to
borrow any further sums of money
on mortgage of tolls, and also to set aside not less than ten per cent. of the
tolls for redemption, but since which time
they have applied yearly on an average about twenty-two per cent, of the lolls
in redemption of their bonded debt, which by this operation is now reduced to
£63,850 The Trustees have been enabled to pay off portions of the debt at a
reduction from the full amount of the bonds; for instance, in the five years
ending with 1850 the debt has been
reduced £14,250 by the payment of
£12,480., entered as debts paid off. The
toll income has fallen off greatly since 1843; but during the
years 1848, 1849, and 1850 has varied in amount but slightly. The income has
been applied in repairing the road (without receiving parish aid); in paying
salaries (£600. per annum since I846, the treasurer receiving £150 per annum,
with a cash balance in hand exceeding £2.000); in paying law charges (on an
average £270. per annum previously to l848, interest of debt, improvements,
portions of bonded debts, incidentals, &c.
The principal object in applying to Parliament,
as set forth in the foregoing resolutions, is to obtain powers to make
improvements in the road. It is proposed to add to the roads of the Trust
M.
F. P.
A piece of road in the parish of Crediton, in
length - -
1 1 28
Also
Total
- - 1 2 37
It is proposed to
relinquish
parish of Crediton, in length - - - 1 6 10
Also
2.—
There are no roads liable to be repaired by
this Trust, as the roads, upon which
extensive improvements were effected in the year 1820, under the 1st of George IV. cap. 21., were repaired by other
Trusts. There is but one toll-gate, with a stop-gate at a distance of about a
mile and a-half which clear each other. The same tolls are collected as on the Exeter Trust.
The debt upon this Trust
in 1834 was I£16,500, bearing interest at five per cent- In the year 1820 it amounted to the sum
of £15,700, when two Acts were passed (the
4th of Victoria, cap. 31. and 32.), by which the management was transferred to
the Trustees of the
The accounts show that
the toll income remained without much alteration from the year 1834 to
1845, the small amount received in the year 1841 being for a portion of the year only. The large
reduction of tolls since 1845 is attributed to the decreased traffic occasioned
by the opening of the South Devon, the
In the present
application to Parliament it is proposed to repeal the several existing Acts, "except so far
as the same relate to the Countess Wear District, and " Haven or
|
Description of traffic |
Present Tolls. . Proposed Tolls |
For every horse or other beast drawing 'any
chaise, &c-, with a single
seat, and with 2 wheels only- - " - 6d 6d
Ditto, any double-seated carriage on 2 wheels, commonly 8d 6d
called a dog cart -
Ditto, any other carriage with double seat, or any four-wheel Coach,
&c, drawn by one horse only 8d 8d
Ditto - ditto (except stage coaches, &e.) drawn by 2 or more horses 7.5d 6d
Ditto, drawing any stage coach. &c. 6d to 9d 8d
Ditto drawing any van &c, conveying goods
for hire 8d 8d
Ditto, drawing :any waggon,
&c. (except timber carriage), upon four
wheels 6 inches wide, if drawn by one horse only 6d 8d
Ditto - ditto - if drawn by 2 or more horses 4d to 6d 6d
Ditto, drawing any cart, &ct, upon 2 wheels 6 inches wide 4d to 6d 6d
Ditto, drawing any carriage for conveying
timber by 1 horse Only,
and any carriage with 6 inch wheels drawn by more than 1 horse 8d 8d
Ditto, drawing any carriage for conveying
timber, with wheels less than
6 inches wide, if .drawn by 2 or 3 horses not known. 1s 8d
Ditto, if drawn by 4 or 5 horses - - - , ditto. 2s 5d
Ditto, if drawn by more than 5 horses ditto. 2s
For every horse, mule, or ass, not drawing 1d 1.5d
For every score of oxen, &c. - - - - - 1s 3d 1s 3d
For every score of sheep, &c. - - - 7.5d 7.5d
Additional tolls are
proposed, as at present, upon waggons, carts, &c.
(except timber
carriages), for narrow wheels; if less than 4.5 inches wide, one-half more ; and if 4.5 inches and less than 5 inches wide, one-quarter
more than the above tolls.
Section 3 relates
to Countess Weir and is on that page
List of
Roads (numbers relate to original 1753 Act – road names
to 1831 Act)
In
1831 added; Deviation from near
Livery
Sidmouth Road (No. 2); Road from the
late County
Gallows east of Heavitree, up Sidmouth Hill then UC
to cross M5, then A376 to Clyst Saint Mary onto A3052 to west end of Aylesbear Hill leading to Newton Poppleford (Half Way Inn). (about 7 miles)
–
the remaining UC road through Yettington to Otterton and on
possibly to Sidmouth was turnpiked for a short period
from 1773 (another 6 miles)
Broad
Aylesbear Road;
UC Road
from the Black Dog across Broadclist Heath, to the Crown and Sceptre, in the
Honiton Road at Rockbeare
(Jack in the Green) and then on UC road through Rockbear and Aylesbear to the meet the Lyme
Regis Turnpike Road on Aylesbear Hill
(i.e. end of this Turnpike at Half Way Inn) (about 6 miles) (added 1773)
New
Moor Lane Road; UC Road from Pin Pound in Pinhoe, through Monkerton, across
the Honiton Road, through Moor Lane (Sowton
Industrial Estate) by Sandy
Gate (M5 junction), then on UC (was B3181) road SW to The Red Cow Alehouse, near to Topsham, (about 5 miles) (added 1773)
Old
Added
in 1831;
Road from Barnstaple Cross to the White Hart Inn in
the Parish of Crediton (further 2 miles of A377)
New Barnstaple
Road;
A377 improved road from the Three
Horse Shoes near Cowley bridge, to the Spinning Path at the Entrance to Crediton, through Crediton,
to Narrow Street; and on
to Barnstaple Cross
and
also a new Road from Barnstaple Cross to Coplestone Stone; and a new Road, still A377,
from Copplestone to Eggesford Bridge in the Parish of Chawleigh, to join the new Turnpike Road from Barnstaple; (about 11 miles of new
road) (added in 1831)
Chumleigh Road; UC
Road from Crediton Forches,
through
Morchard Bishop to the
adjoining Turnpike Road, at Labbet’s Cross near Chawley, (The old Exeter Road) (about 10 miles)
Drayford Road; UC Road from a Gate near Broadway in the Parish of Sandford,, through Kennerleigh
and Black Dog to Drayford Bridge,
where it joins the Southmolton Turnpike
Road, (about 10 miles) (added 1773)
In 1831 added; Deviation
near the Twelve Mile Stone in the .Drayford Road,
through Kennerleigh Wood,
New
North Road; B3183 from near the Foot of the Hill on the North
Side of Saint David's
Hill, by the Scite of a House formerly known as Howell's House, through Howell Lane, by way of the Devon County Gaol,
into Longbrooke Street, and from thence to the Scite of the late Oxford Inn, near where the East Gate Exeter
and also from
the New London Inn in the Parish of Saint David's ,
Also a
new Road (A377) from
and in 1831 added; Road
from Belmont Lodge to Longbrook Street, another Road
from the Red Cow Turnpike Gate to Exe Bridge, and a Branch Road, commencing in
the Hilly Field above the Head Wear, and terminating in the Field next
adjoining the County Gaol, to connect the same Two
Roads
the extension of this road to Taphouse Gate at Tedburn St Mary was the earlier turnpike road towards Crockernwell – replaced in 1823
Exwick Road; UC Road (Buddle
Lane) branching from the Right of the Turnpike Gate at Exwick Cross called
The Oakhampton Gate, to a Place called Cowley Cross on Crediton Road jct, (about 2 miles)
In
1831; Deviations in the Road leading through Exwick
to
In
1831 added; Deviations from the Road between the Five Mile Stone
and New Cross Turnpike Gate House in the Parish of Kingsteignton,
a
new Road from the Plymouth Inn to near the
New Kennford Roads; a new Road
from Waybrook (just S of Alphington)
in
a new Road from Red Cross in the
Shillingford Road;
UC Road from Alphington Village, by Shillingford towards
Haldon House, to Clapton Brook(Clapham) near the Four
Mile Stone (about 2 miles),
This
road previously went on to
Powderham Road (No. 14)
Road from Alphington Church, UC road
through Exminster then A379, to
Crab Lake (5 mile stone) in the said Parish of Exminster,
(about 3 miles)
Cot to
Countess Weir Road; a new Road (A379) from The
Cot, to the
End of a Road leading to Countess Wear Bridge ; (about 0.2 miles)
New Powderham Road; a new Road
from the Three Mile Stone on the Powderham Road,
as UC road through Exminster then A379 to a Place near the Powderham Stopgate
(by 6 mile stone)
New Dunsford
Roads; a new Road (part of B3212) on the Right
Side of the Dunsford Road, from Mount
Hindrance,
to the Foot of Culver House Hill (jct with B3193); from here also as B3193,
a
new Road from Farrant's Bridge, in the Road
leading from
a
new Road from
In
1831 added; Road from Dunchideock to
.Lower Shillingford
Taphouse
and Okehampton Road; UC Road (was A30) from Pokem Bridge in Dunsford Road to Taphouse Turnpike
Gate at Tedburn St Mary, and from thence to
Crockernwell in the Parish of Cheriton
Bishop, (about 11 miles)
Replaced road through
Whitestone in 1823
new Road (UC Road that was A30) diverting the present Road from Taphouse Turnpike Gate Tedburn St Mary, to the
Eight Mile Stone in the Road
leading from Exeter to Crockernwell,
The
older turnpike went to the north of this route pre 1821 Act
New
Red Post Road; A379 from Powderham Road at Bear's
Hill Oak Corner, through Countess Wear, to the
Topsham Turnpike Road at The Red Post leading to
Riding Lane (Rydon
Lane), (about 1 miles) (added 1773)
Bridge at Countess Wear
Beggar’s Bush Road; added
in 1831;
Added in 1852; (minor changes)
(a) improve
the road between the Mount Radford Turnpike Toll-gate and the Windmill Inn in
(b) road
between the west pier of the entrance gateway of the Crediton Union Workhouse
to the junction of the
(c) between the back part of a house
occupied by F. W. L. Ross, Esq.,
in the parish of Topsham, and the top of Taylor's Lane
Typical
Exeter Facet type Milestone used on the main London and Plymouth Roads.
This one is at Exminster.
Typical Exeter Tombstone type Milestone
Engraved either to
Typical
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