Turnpike Roads — Geoffrey N. Wright (1992, First Edition)

2nd hand book, very good condition, see images

Journey Through the History of Early British Transit with Turnpike Roads by Geoffrey N. Wright

Uncover the foundational era of Britain's transport infrastructure with Turnpike Roads by noted local historian and educator Geoffrey N. Wright. Published by Shire Publications as part of their highly regarded Shire Library / Shire Album series (Volume #283), this captivating first-edition paperback provides a concise, expertly illustrated exploration of the private toll road networks that fueled the Industrial Revolution.

From roughly 1690 to 1840, turnpike trusts completely transformed the English landscape. Before their inception, local parishes bore the heavy burden of maintaining deeply rutted, muddy paths. Wright masterfully details how these privately funded administrative bodies revolutionized transit by charging road users directly for repairs and improvements. Over 20,000 miles of roadways were successfully “turnpiked,” accelerating economic growth, enabling smooth long-distance trade, and setting the physical framework for the modern roads we travel on today.

Spanning 32 high-quality pages, this volume is heavily illustrated with over 50 rare archival photographs, maps, and illustrations. It spotlights the fascinating architectural remnants of this era that still stand today—from ornate, neat little tollhouses and historic gates to hundreds of weathered roadside milestones.

Why Collectors Love This Book

An essential guide for British social history buffs, industrial heritage enthusiasts, scale modelers, and collectors of vintage transport literature, this first-edition copy of Turnpike Roads perfectly preserves the story behind Britain's early commercial arteries.

Book Details

Author: Geoffrey N. Wright · Publisher: Shire Publications · Year: 1992 · Edition: First Edition · Format: Paperback · Pages: 32 · Dimensions: 21.0 cm × 14.9 cm × 0.3 cm · Weight: 0.09 kg · Language: English