It is likely that a maintained road came from Blackburn to Walton le Dale, via Hoghton, following the Yorkshire and Lancaster Roads Act of 1755. In modern day terms, the 1755 Blackburn to Preston road, which was later known as ‘The Blackburn & Walton Cop Trust’, would be known as Preston Old Road.
So far, from the details I have found, the Yorkshire and Lancaster Roads Act 1755 (28 Geo. 2. c. 59 25) of April 1755 is described as an “Act for repairing, widening, and amending, the Road from Cocking End near Addingham in the West Riding of the County of York, through Kildwick, to Black Lane End in the County Palatine of Lancaster.”
The problem with that description is that Black Lane Ends (or Black Lane End) is a location in Lancashire, notably home to the Black Lane Ends Tavern on Skipton Old Road in Colne. That brings the road into Lancashire, but not to this part of West Lancashire.
With regard to the notation, 28 Geo. 2 is ’28th year of the reign of King George II’ and c. 59 refers to ‘Chapter 59 of the statutes passed in that session’.
The first evidence I found of activity related to the road was this digitised copy of a notice from 1812. The image was provided by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for use in the Cotton Town digitisation project: www.cottontown.org.
Interesting to note that the ‘Trust’ refers to Burscough Bridge, as per the Balderstone Road, and not Walton Cop. That would suggest that Walton Cop as a name street comes later. Because of Tithe rights, the route had to take a sharp right turn up Knot Lane and then left down Church Brow, crossing Burscough Bridge to enter the village.
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A ‘COUNTY MEETING‘ held in June and reported on Saturday, July 7th, 1821 in the Lancaster Gazetter states the following:
The last thing which came before the Court was a petition from the Trustees of the Wigan and Preston turnpike-road, praying that a Committee of Magistrates be appointed to consider of the propriety of taking down part of the South-East wall of Walton-bridge, for the purpose of widening Walton Cop; and also of taking down the wall in front of the House of Correction, for the purpose of adding to the breadth of the road. A committee was appointed for the Walton-bridge and road, but refused for the Preston road, on account of its being thought that the principal aim of the petitioners was to embellish the entrance into the town.
That means that the ‘Walton Cop’ name likely came into existence between 1812 and 1821.
What is a Turnpike?
Historically, a ‘turnpike’ was a spiked barrier fixed in or across a road or passage as a defence against sudden attack. This seems to have been later adopted to mean a toll gate, and by extension for toll roads and the bodies that administered them.
The word comes from turn + pike — literally a turning spiked barrier.
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Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop within Walton-in-le-Dale
In 1830 there is another Act of Parliament to allow for better maintenance of the existing road. That act was described as follows:
An Act for more effectually repairing the Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop within Walton-in-le-Dale in the County of Lancaster. 11 G. 4. c. lxxxv.
11 G. 4.: Refers to the 11th year of the reign of King George IV (1830).
c. lxxxv.: Refers to Chapter 85 of the statutes enacted in that year.
Looking at the local newspapers, the first evidence of the this Turnpike Trust named as ‘Blackburn to Walton Cop’ was their AGM (Annual General Meeting, or as they advertise it ‘General Annual MEETING’ ) in May 1831.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
THAT the General Annual MEETING of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be held at the Boar’s Head, in Hoghton, in the said County, on Friday, the 6th day of May next, at Eleven o’clock in the forenoon, to audit the Accounts of the Treasurer and Surveyor of the said Turnpike Road, and on other business relating to the said trust.
Dated the Sixteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.
NIC. GRIMSHAW, Clerk to the said Trustees.
NIC. GRIMSHAW, is likely to be Nicholas Grimshaw, the seven-times Mayor of Preston. The same as N. GRIMSHAW in the first notice.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Apr. 30, 1831
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3205331766/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=6411b647
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Later that year, in August, a meeting was held to outsource toll collection and related services.
NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
THAT a Meeting of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road between BLACKBURN and WALTON COP, in the County of Lancaster, will be holden at the Black Bull Inn, in Blackburn aforesaid, on Thursday, the 11th Day of August next between the hours of Eleven in the Forenoon, and Two in the Afternoon, at which Meeting the Tolls arising at the several Toll Gates and Side Gates up-on the said Road, including the Finnington Side Gate, will be Let by Auction, to the best Bidder, in the manner directed by the Acts passed in the third and fourth years of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Fourth, “For regulating Turnpike Roads,” which Tolls produced in the last year the sum of £1306. 11s. 3d. clear of the Salary of the Collectors, and will be put up at that sum.
Whoever happens to be the best Bidder, or Bidders, must give Security, with sufficient Sureties to the satisfaction of the, Trustees of the said Turnpike Road, for payment Monthly, of the Rent at which the said Tolls shall be Let, and (if required) must pay one Month’s rent in advance:
At the said meeting will be Let, also, to the highest bidder, the WEIGHING MACHINE, Situate upon the said road at Riley Green; the Taker whereof must give satisfactory Security for the payment of the rent for the same.
NIC. GRIMSHAW, Clerk to the said Trustees.
Preston, July 7th 1831.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, July 9, 1831
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3205331917/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=2&xid=6591512e
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In 1838, it is apparent that the Clerk to the Trustees has deceased, and therefore there needs to be a new appointment. Nicholas Grimshaw, Esq., the fomer Mayor of Preston, died suddenly, at his residence in Winckley Square at Preston, on January 17th, 1838, in his 81st year. This confirms that the Clerk for the Trust was indeed that Nicholas Grimshaw.
Notice is Hereby Given,
THAT the General Annual Meeting of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be bolden at the Boar’s Head, in Hoghton, in the said County, on Friday the 23rd day of February next, at Eleven o’clock in the Forenoon, to audit the Accounts of the Treasurer and Surveyor of the said Turnpike Road, to elect and appoint a Clerk to the said Trustees, in the room and stead of Mr. Nicholas Grimshaw deceased, and on Turnpike Road. Dated the 29th Day of January, 1838. JOHN LAWE,
RICHARD WALMSLEY,
Two of the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Feb. 3, 1838
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207415973/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=58c4ab48
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Following this a new Clerk was elected. The role passed to N. Grimshaw’s son, S. R. Grimshaw, Esq.
BLACKBURN AND WALTON TURNPIKE ROAD.
At a numerous and highly respectable meeting of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, held at the Boar’s Head Inn, in Hoghton Lane, yesterday, the worshipful the Mayor of Preston, in the chair. The following gentle-men were present at the meeting:-T. B. Addison, Esq., John Addison, Esq., W. Taylor, Esq., Vicar of Preston, Rev. Robert Hornby, John Lawe, Esq., William Marshall, Esq., James Pedder, Esq., Edward Pedder, Esq., H. P. Fleetwood, Esq., Samuel Horrocks, junr., Esq., John Gorst, Esq., and a great number of other gentlemen. The first matter for the consideration of the meeting was the general reduction of salaries. It was then proposed and carried that the salary of the Clerk should be reduced from £40 to £30; that the salary of the Treasurer should be £20 instead of £30; and that the salary of the Surveyor should be reduced from £60 to £50. The meeting then proceeded to the election of a Clerk, in the room of the late N. Grimshaw, Esq., when his son S. R. Grimshaw, Esq. was unanimously elected. The accounts were then produced and passed, from which it appeared there was a small balance in hand; it was therefore resolved to pay to the executors of the late S. Crane, Esq. the sum of £50 in liquidation of part of the debt owing to them.
BLACKBURN AND WALTON TURNPIKE ROAD
Saturday, Feb. 24, 1838
Publication: Preston Chronicle
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207416035/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=2&xid=a18fe98f
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By the next AGM, it is clear that S. R. Grimshaw has taken over as the Clerk. Samuel Richard Grimshaw was a Preston solicitor, following directly in his father’s professional footsteps, and active in local legal and trust work in the late 1830s and 1840s.
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
THAT a Meeting of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be holden by adjournment, at the Boar’s Head, in Hoghton; in the said County, on Thursday the 25th day of April inst., at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, on the general business relating to the said Road.
Dated the first day of April, 1839,
S.R. GRIMSHAW, Clerk to the said Trustees.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Apr. 6, 1839
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207417098/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=ffbd0b57
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Notice is Hereby Given,
THAT an ALTERNATE MEETING of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be holden at the Town Hall, in Preston, on Tuesday, the Eighth day of October next, at Eleven o’Clock in the Forenoon, on the General Business relating to the said road. Dated this 23rd day of September, 1839.
WILLIAM CALROW,
JAMES LIVESEY,
THOMAS CLARKE,
THOMAS GERMAN,
Trustees of the said Road.
By S. R. GRIMSHAW, Clerk.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28, 1839 (This is odd, as it is after the meeting)
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207417638/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=614ffc9e
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Notice is hereby given,
THAT & MEETING of the TRUSTEES of the TURNPIKE ROAD from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be holden by adjournment, at the house of Mr. WILLIAM PEARSON, the sign of the Boar’s Head, in Hoghton, in the said County, on FRIDAY, the EIGHTH day of MAY next, at Eleven o’clock in the Forenoon, on the general business relating to the said Road.
Dated this 14th day of April, 1846. S. R. GRIMSHAW, Clerk to the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road.
Multiple Classified ads
Date: Wednesday, Apr. 15, 1846
Publication: Blackburn Standard
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/R3212738015/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=1b6a909f
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There is no information that sheds any light on the next transition, but the following year the name Peter Catterall is identified as the Clerk to the Trustees. However, there is an Alternate Meeting of the Trustees at the Town Hall, Preston, in October to discuss the General Business of the Trust.
[see: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/R3208005899/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=08906f57]
TURNPIKE ROAD
From Blackburn to Walton Cop.
LETTING OF TOLLS.
Notice is hereby given,
THAT & Meeting of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be holden at the Black Bull, in Blackburn, in the County aforesaid, on FRIDAY, the SEVENTEENTH day of DECEMBER next, at Eleven o’clock in the Forenoon, on the General Business of the Trust; and, that at such Meeting the Tolls arising at the several Toll Gates and Side Gates upon the said Road, called or known by the names of the Knot Lane End Toll Gate, the Brindle Lane End Toll Gate, and the Blackburn Toll Gate; and also the several Side Gates at Knot Lane End, Kitlingburne, Duxon Hill, Brindle Lane End, and Finnington Lane End, will be
LET BY AUCTION,
to the best bidder, in the manner directed by the Acts passed in the Third and Fourth years of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Fourth, for regulating Turnpike Roads, which Tolls produced in the last year, the sum of £747 138. 5d., above the expenses of collecting the same, and will be put up at that sum; and if not let together and in one Lot, the said Tolls will be put up in Parcels, and in several Lots, each at such sum as the Trustees shall think fit.
Whoever happens to be the best Bidder or Bidders, must give security with sufficient Sureties, to the satisfaction of the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road, for payment Monthly of the Rent at which the said Tolls, or any Parcel thereof, shall be Let, and (if required) must pay one Month’s Rent in advance.
PETER CATTERALL, Clerk to the said Trustees.
Preston, 29th October, 1847.
Multiple Classified ads
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1847
Publication: Blackburn Standard
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/R3207846361/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=b099beb9
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In the next phase, Catterall & Catterall are the Clerks to the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road. In this context, “adjourned” means, a continuation of an earlier Annual Meeting that was formally opened and then postponed to a later date. It’s not a new meeting — it’s the same meeting, resumed.
WANTED,
A SURVEYOR to superintend the TURNPIKE-ROAD from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, who will be required to find two sufficient Sureties, in the sum of £100 each, for the faithful dis-charge of his duties. Salary, £30 per annum.
Names and Testimonials of Applicants to be sent to the Trustees of the said Road, on or before the 26th day of February instant.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
That an adjourned General Annual MEETING of the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, in the County of Lancaster, will be holden at the BOAR’S HEAD INN, in Hoghton, in the said County, on Monday the 28th day of February instant, at Eleven o’clock in the forenoon, for the appointment of a Surveyor of the said Road, in the place of Mr. Samuel Marsden; and on the General Business of the Trust. – Dated the 7th day of February, 1853.
CATTERALL & CATTERALL, Clerks to the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Feb. 12, 1853
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207438802/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=780f6367
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By 1856 Paul Catterall Junior is the Clerk to the Trust.
TURNPIKE ROAD FROM BLACKBURN TO WALTON COP.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an adjourned General Annual MEETING of the Trustees, under an act passed in the eleventh year of the reign of King George the Fourth, intituled “An act for more effectually repairing the road from Blackburn to Walton Cop, within Walton-in-le-Dale, in the county of Lancaster,” will be holden at the Boar’s Head Inn, in Hoghton, on Friday, the 28th day of March, instant, at the hour of Eleven o’clock in the Forenoon, in order to take into consideration the propriety of erecting a Toll Gate, or Side Gate, on the south side of the said Turnpike Road, at or near the Cherry Tree Station of the East Lancashire Railway, at Livesey, in the said county of Lancaster, and on the general business of the trust. And Notice is Hereby further Given, that at such Meeting an Appointment of New Trustees will be made, in the place of several of those now deceased.
PAUL CATTERALL, Jun., Preston, March 5th, 1856.
Clerk to the said Trust.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Mar. 8, 1856
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207445284/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=8c57d534
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THEND
By July 1881, it is clear that the Blackburn and Walton Cop Turnpike Trust no longer exists. The Leyland Hundred Highways Board is in control of the road in this area, at least through Hoghton, and they are putting the repair work out to tender.
Contract.
TO ROAD CONTRACTORS AND OTHERS.
THE LEYLAND HUNDRED HIGHWAY BOARD
are prepared to receive TENDERS for the repair of the Highway in Hoghton, called the Blackburn and Walton Cop Road, formerly part of the Blackburn and Walton Cop Turnpike Trust; and for Maintaining and keeping the same in repair for a period ending 25th March, 1884; and for the purchase, getting, and carrying materials required for that purpose.
The Specification may be seen, and other particulars obtained at the office of RICHARD JACKSON, Esquire, Solicitor, 6, High-street, Chorley, to whom tenders may be sent not later than the 30th instant.
The road will be shewn by John Bateson, the work man there.
The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.
Chorley, 5th July, 1881.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, July 9, 1881
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources
British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207493648/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=c6717194
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