Leeds to Selby and Wakefield to Aberford
The Oldest local Roman Road in the area is the A656Bawtry to Boroughbridge- Section between Castleford and Bramham referred to in Garforth, Kippax, Ledston as Roman Ridge
Up to 1555 Local landlords became responsible for maintenance of the roads. After that Local Parishes took over. Travellers met a variety of road repairs or lack of them.
1675 Leeds Quarter sessions referred Howle Lane in West Garforth was badly in need of repair This was fore runner of Leeds to Selby Turnpike
As the Industrial Revolution progressed the need for better roads increased. Between 1700 and 1790 approx 2000 Road acts were passed relating to setting up Turnpike Trusts. Thus many bars, gates and cottages were set up.
Turnpike was actually a gate with spikes across the road to prevent travellers passing until they had paid the toll.
The two turnpikes passing through Garforth were Authorised by the Acts Of Parliament were
1740- Leeds to Selby Sir Edward Gascoigne 6th Baronet (1697-1750) was a trustee.
1741- Wakefield to Aberford.
Coal and Lime waggons were exempt from tolls in The West Garforth to Leeds section. However heavy use ruined the road and a subsequent act was passed in 1750. Turnpikes pushed up the cost of commodities. (East Leeds to Knaresborough entailed 40 miles of turnpikes).
Wakefield to Towton was particularly crooked and indirect.
Work to improve began in 1789 and was completed in 1794.
Trustees decided on three Toll bars – Stanley Green, Swilliington Bridge and Moor Garforth. – now site of Toll Bar Garage at junction Bar Lane Aberford Road. Wakefield to Aberford was thought to be the first in West Riding not to be built on preexisting roads.
On the Leeds to Selby route a turnpike stood near Peckfield Bar where Roman Ridge road crosses Leeds to Selby Road.
The Wakefield to Aberford turnpike was terminated in 1882 and the Leeds to Selby in 1874 and were taken over by WRCC.
Acknowledgement -Copy from A Short History of Garforth – A publication by Garforth Historical Society – A copy is available in Garforth Library