PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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The toll-gates that were situated on the new road through Stonehouse were closed and sold off when the Stonehouse Turnpike Trust was dissolved on Friday September 29th 1843. Freeing of toll-gates (1924) -- On April 1st 1924 a ceremony was held at each of the five toll-gates in Plymouth to free the citizens from having to ever again pay tolls to pass through them.
The toll-gate at the south end of
Embankment Road, entering Plymouth
The toll gate at Millbridge A civic procession of about 100 cars led by the Mayor, Mr Solomon Stephens, and accompanied by the Deputy Mayor, Sir Thomas Baker, the Town Clerk, Mr R J Fittall, aldermen and councillors, left the Guildhall at 11.45am and visited each gate in turn -- Laira Bridge at 11.53am, the southern gate on the Embankment at 12.07pm, the northern gate on the Embankment at 12.20pm, thence via Old Laira Road, Alexandra Road, Braidwood Terrace and North Road to Millbridge at 12.45pm and finally to Stonehouse Bridge at 1pm. At each the Mayor said 'I declare this road free to the public of Plymouth for ever', cut a tape and led the citizens through the gate. In order to impress this important event on its future citizens, some 1200 school children were assembled at Embankment Road, Millbridge and Stonehouse. The bells of St Andrew's, Stoke Damerel and St George's Churches were rung during the day and there were a civic luncheon and dance held as well. At Laira Bridge Gate the Mayor was presented with the a silver frame containing the last tickets issued at each of the gates and at the luncheon he was given a handsome loving cup in celebration of what was regarded as a great event of his Mayoralty.
Freeing the toll gate at Millbridge
The old toll house at the bottom of Alma
Road, The Pennycomequick Toll House was pulled down in 1924.
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