| Breaking down the tollgates |
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Drawing
by
Rob Davies |
The fares
charged by stagecoach operators included
the cost of passing through tollgates along the route. Since most regular
passengers were usually among the better off, the turnpike
toll charges were not a great worry for them. Better roads meant
a more comfortable (or less uncomfortable !)
journey, and they were willing to pay extra for that. But it was very different for those who were not well off but had to pass through tollgates with carts or packhorses to take their goods into town to sell at the weekly market, or for farmers who had to pay to drive their animals through. |
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A
drawing
from 1843 of the Rebecca Riots |
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In the very early years of Queen Victoria's reign the turnpike road toll charges led to the famous Rebecca Riots. Around this time the lives of most of the poor were terribly hard, there were troubles in agriculture and in the flannel industry, and the hated new workhouses were a threat hanging over the very poorest people in the community. |
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The Rebecca Riots started in south
Wales in 1839, just two years after
Victoria became Queen, with violent attacks
on tollgates. The rioters were men who disguised themselves with women's
bonnets and skirts. Back to Welshpool turnpikes menu
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RDR
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