Alnmouth and Hexham Turnpike Trust

The Alnmouth and Hexham Turnpike Trust was established by an Act of Parliament (25 Geo2 c.46) in 1751. The turnpike road passed through Alnwick and Rothbury; it was known as the "Corn Road" because one of it's main uses was for the export of corn from central and south-west Northumberland, through the port of Alnmouth. The importance of Alnmouth grew as a result of the Turnpike; growing to export more grain than Newcastle, until a violent storm led to the River Aln changing course resulting in it's decline as a port. As well as upgrading existing roads, the turnpike necessitated new bridges, notably at Hexham and Wallington. The bridge over the Tyne at Hexham was completed in 1770, but was destroyed in the Great Flood of 1771, needing later replacements. The Turnpike Trust existed until 1872.

The turnpike from Hexham to Alnmouth was made in the years 1753 and 1754; it comes to Alnwick Moor at Lemmington Bank Top, and passes through the town. To the formation of this road the corporation subscribed liberally, yet keeping in view the interests of the freemen, The projectors proposed that a toll-gate should be placed in the Stobby Moor ; but to this the common council strongly objected. The chamberlains offered, in behalf of the town, to subscribe £400 at the rate of three per cent per annum, provided the chamberlains for the time being were nominated trustees without any qualification; they granted leave to the commissioners to erect a wall across the Town Moor, provided it were built west of the HowI of Brankspeth, and provided all the free burgesses resident in town or parish be exempt from paying any toll for the carriage of lime, manure, stones, coals, turves, flaggs, heather, or whins, from any part of the moor to the town. For a few years the corporation received interest on this £400 ; but the tolls being absorbed by the working expenses, no interest has been paid for many years, and the capital is lost, excepting so far as the town and community enjoy the advantage of a good road.

Extract from: The history of the borough, castle, and barony of Alnwick. George Taite, 1866