Lincolnshire saw great changes in the 18th and 19th century which was closely linked to improved means of communication. As the land produced more, markets were sought further afield; new techniques called for materials such as fertilisers which were not always available locally.
Lincolnshire’s roads were bad; the broad-wheeled wagon and the droves of cattle passing over long distances caused damage. Fen roads generally made with silt or old sea sand were, when moderately wet good; but dreadfully dusty in dry weather.
Turnpike trusts sprang up to deal with this problem. Set up by Act of Parliament, they improved existing stretches or built new roads, charging tolls at the ‘bars’ set at intervals along the route. By the middle of the 18th century, the number of improved roads grew rapidly.
In all, Lincolnshire had 15 per cent of its roads turnpiked, rather more than other large counties like Essex, Suffolk and especially Norfolk but much less than smaller ones like Huntingdonshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
From 2015 to present day the highways agency spends over £1000 million on “maintaining the network” of roads with the ethos “safe roads, reliable journeys and informed travellers.”
No wonder they have no cash to fix potholes!