Did Turnpike Trusts Increase Transportation Investment in Eighteenth-Century England?

Neighbors, networks, and the development of transport systems: Explaining the diffusion of turnpike trusts in eighteenth-century England

“…Between 1750 and 1820, freight charges fell by around 40 percent, and passenger travel times were reduced by 60 percent. 4 There was also a significant increase in long-distance freight and passenger traffic, especially between London and major cities like Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle. Turnpikes also generated local benefits, as land rents typically increased by more than 10 percent after they were established (Bogart [6]).…”

“…Due to fiscal and legal limitations most parishes spent little, and the quality of the road network suffered. Turnpikes by contrast made substantial road investments and contributed to significant reductions in freight charges and travel times (Bogart [4,5]). Despite these benefits, turnpike trusts diffused relatively slowly throughout the road network.…”

Before the Industrial Revolution

“…Harbor-improvements increased the number and draft of ships which could load and unload, facilitating the expansion of maritime commerce. Turnpikes reduced freight charges and travel times by widening, resurfacing, and maintaining thoroughfares (Bogart, 2005).…”

Prosecution Associations in Industrial Revolution England: Private Providers of Public Goods?

“…Brennan andPettit (1993, 2000) and McAdams (1997) observe that we spontaneously form judgments about the actions of others: we esteem or disapprove of them, and these involuntary judgements are valued and can motivate individuals to take certain actions, such as contributing voluntarily to the provision of a public good. 41 In this respect, prosecution associations resembled the turnpike trusts studied by Klein (1990) and Bogart (2005aBogart ( , 2005b. There were also material incentives to be an active member of philanthropic associations, clubs, and societies in an economy based on "gentlemanly capitalism" (Mokyr 2008).…”