Toll Boards from Turnpike Roads Passing Through Rossendale

Recorded 2026

Toll boards were placed at every toll booth to display the prices for moving animals and/or vehicles along the next section of the toll road.  The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery hold five boards in their stores and whilst not generally on view to the public, representatives from SPAG were kindly allowed access to photograph them.  Unfortunately, access and lighting were limited, which combined with the sometimes poor condition of the boards themselves, can make reading them quite difficult. To view the whole board, click on the image.

Four of these are from the Burnley and Edenfield Turnpike Trust which appear to be the only ones surviving from the 13 sold at auction on 12th April 1875 when the assets of the trust were disposed of.  Locations for the original positions of the boards are approximations to provide an indication of their position.  The original location of the Haslingden and Todmorden Turnpike Trust board at ‘Water’, is under investigation.

Our thanks to Gina Ferriday (Curator) and Dave Robinson (Volunteer) for their time and energy in making these boards available.