Turnpike Roads Act 1766

The Turnpike Roads Act 1766, was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain that consolidated all acts relating to turnpike roads in England and Wales.

Background

The first legislated control in England was introduced under the Highways Act 1555, which was amended and extended by the Highways Act 1562.
In 1663, the Road Repair (Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire) Act 1663 was passed to authorise the charging of rates for a section of the Great North Road in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, becoming the first turnpike act. From the late 17th-century, Parliament increasingly took responsibility for repairing and maintaining roads from local authorities.
From 1700 to 1750, 143 new turnpike acts were passed, followed by a period of "turnpike mania", during which 375 new trusts were created between 1751 and 1772.
In response to the increased development and congestion of roads in England, the Highways Act 1766 was passed to improve their regulation.

Provisions

Repealed enactments

Section 61 of the act repealed 13 enactments, listed in that section, effective from and after 28 September 1767.

Citation	Short title	Description	Extent of repeal
	Destruction of Turnpikes, etc. Act 1727	An act made in the first year of the reign of his late majesty King George the Second.	As relates to turnpikes.
5 Geo. 2. c. 33	Destruction of Turnpikes, etc. Act 1731	An act passed in the fifth year of his late majesty King George the Second.	As relates to turnpikes.
8 Geo. 2. c. 20	Destruction of Turnpikes, etc. Act 1734	An act passed in the eighth year of his late majesty King George the Second.	As relates to turnpikes.
14 Geo. 2. c. 42	Preservation of Roads Act 1740	An act passed in the fourteenth year of his late majesty King George the Second.	As relates to turnpike roads of this kingdom.
21 Geo. 2. c. 28	Highways Act 1747	An act passed in the twenty first year of his late majesty King George the Second and so much of an act made in the third year of the reign of King William and Queen Mary	Except so much thereof as relates to the rate or price for carriage of goods.
24 Geo. 2. c. 43	Highways Act 1750	An act passed in the twenty fourth year of his late majesty King George the Second.	Except so much thereof as relates to the preventing mischief occasioned by the drivers passing with drays, carts, and waggons, in the city of London.
26 Geo. 2. c. 30	Highways and Turnpike Roads Act 1753	Another act passed in the twenty sixth year of the reign of his late majesty King George the Second.	Except so much thereof as continues the acts then making for repairing and amending turnpike roads, subject to the tolls and duties by such acts respectively granted.
30 Geo. 2. c. 27	Highways and Turnpike Roads Act 1757	An act passed in the thirtieth year of his late majesty King George the Second.	The whole.
30 Geo. 2. c. 28	Highways and Turnpike Roads (No. 2) Act 1757	Another act passed in the thirtieth year of his late majesty King George the Second.	The whole.
31 Geo. 2. c. 27	Highways and Turnpike Roads Act 1757	An act passed in the thirty first year of his late majesty King George the Second	The whole.
5 Geo. 3. c.	Highways Act 1765	An act passed in the fifth year of the reign of his present Majesty.	The whole.
6 Geo. 3. c.	Highways Act 1766	An act passed in the sixth year of his present majesty.	The whole.

Legacy

The Highways (No. 2) Act 1766 was passed at the same time as the act, which consolidated all acts relating to highways in England and Wales.
The act was wholly repealed by the Turnpike Roads Act 1773, which the Select Committee on Temporary Laws described this act as a Consolidation Act.