CRICH PARISH

which consists of the villages of Crich, Fritchley and Whatstandwell

Turnpike Roads through Crich –

Nottingham to Newhaven

Cromford Bridge to Langley Mill

Map of Crich area in 1848

As can be seen on this map of 1848 there are two main routes through Crich. The Nottingham to Newhaven turnpike goes roughly East to West, through Alfreton, South Wingfield, Crich and and Wirksworth. The Cromford Bridge Langley Mill turnpike goes roughly South to North, up Bullbridge, through Crich and Holloway to Cromford Bridge.

Nottingham to Newhaven Turnpike

"The Second District of the Nottingham to Newhaven Turnpike Trust linked Oakerthorpe, on the Derby to Chesterfield road, with Ashbourne. This turnpike started at Fourlane Ends (389557). After coaches had paid their tolls at Wingfield Gate, they would cross the River Amber and climb to South Wingfield: the gradient was eased in 1825 by blasting down some of the rock. The Manor Hotel at South Wingfield was a coaching inn – the Horse and Groom. The turnpike proceeded via Parkhead to Crich and descended to cross the River Derwent at Whatstandwell Bridge (331543) – 'Hottstandell' on old maps – and immediately begin the climb via Longway Bank to Wirksworth Moor."
"Peaklands Roads and Trackways" by A.E. Dodd and E.M. Dodd; Moorland Publishing Company (1974)

photo of Parkgate at Crich
Photo courtesy of Rosemary Hall

Park Gate, or Parkhead, between South Wingfield and Crich on the turnpike. The road continued up Roes Lane to turn sharply left at the Cross before descending Bowns Hill into the Market Place.

photo of Crich parket place c1900
Photo courtesy of Beryl Calladine

The turnpike goes from right to left, in front of the ancient troughs, to pass up Sandy Land towards Whatstandwell.

photo opf milestone between Crich and Whatstandwell

A typical milestone marker for this turnpike on the road between Crich and Whatstandwell. They tended to be distinctive for each turnpike.

Photo of Whatstsnadwell Bridge

The turnpike drops down the hill from Crich to pass over Whatstandwell Bridge, passing out of Crich Parish, before crossing what is now the A6 to continue up Longway Bank towards Wirksworth.

Cromford Bridge to Langley Mill Turnpike

This road came later than the Nottingham to Newhaven turnpike. It does not appear on the 1791 Burdett map of Derbyshire.

The turnpike entered the parish at Bullbridge went up the hill and along the Common into the Market Place. From the Cross it passed St Mary's Church and Town End then onward into Wakebridge and Holloway.

TollbarcottageTollbar Cottage, Bullbridge.

Derby Mercury: Wednesday October 3, 1827
CROMFORD BRIDGE and LANGLEY MILL
TURNPIKE ROAD

Notice is hereby Given that the TOLLS arising at the several Toll Gates upon this Road, known by the names of the Burgin Lane Gate, Holloway Gate, Hartsay Gate, Peasehill Lane Gate and Side Gate and the Codnor and Langley Chains
Will be Let by Auction
To the best bidder, at the Canal Inn Bull Bridge on Friday the twenty-sixth day of October next, between the hours of one and four o'clock in the afternoon, in the manner directed by the acts passed in the third and fourth years of the reign of his present Majesty, King George the Fourth. "For regulating Turnpike roads" subject to such conditions as will then be produced, which Tolls produced the last year the sum of Four hundred and sixty-four pounds above the expence of collecting them, and will be put up at that sum.
Whoever happens to be the best bidder or bidders, must at the same time give security, with sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the trustees of the said turnpiike road, for payment of the rent agreed for, in such proportions and at such times as they shall direct.

JAMES SWETTENHAM
Wirksworth, 24th Sept. 1827. Clerk to the Trustees

photo of milestone in Crich

Typical mile marker on the Cromford Bridge to Langley Mill turnpike near Crich Market Place, on the Common.

photo of Town End Crich
Photo courtesy of Beryl Calladine

What was the turnpike at Town End, looking towards the village of Crich.

photo of milestone near Lea

Mile marker on the turnpike near Wakebridge.


photo of tollhouse at Lea

This is the old toll house as you enter Holloway from Crich.

Holloway Tollhouse

The tollhouse on the left looking towards Wakebridge.

In 1897 Crich ratepayers hoped that Derbyshire County Council might take over this turnpike – but they refused owing to there being insufficient traffic.

Derby Mercury Wed 7 April 1897

PARISH MEETING – A large meeting of the ratepayers of Crich took place on Wednesday evening in the Parochial School, Mr. H. B. Boag presiding. Mr. Leafe read out a list of the recipients of charities of Cooper, Gisborne, Cornthwaites and Kirkland, and the Rev. Acraman also read accounts connected with the charities. They were passed. The Parish Council accounts were then presented and showed a balance in hand of £15 8s 6d. The question of a footbridge over the canal to Whatstandwell station was then fully gone into, and a petition to the Midland Railway Company having been drawn up, the ratepayers were asked to sign the same. Mr Shaw brought forward an important matter, that of repairing the turnpike road leading from Bull Bridge to Holloway, stating that he thought, with many others, that the road ought to be taken over by the Derbyshire County Council. It was, however, clearly proved by Mr Dawes and other gentlemen that the County Council had been repeatedly requested to take over this road, but would not do so, their excuse being that there was sufficient through traffic. Votes of confidence in the Council and thanks to the chairman concluded a good meeting.


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