Issue 98 – August 2015
9 pages inside
SOUTH LIVERPOOL’S BIGGEST ADVERTISING PAPER
ONE FOR THE ROAD By Stephen Guy FOR centuries roads were maintained by the local communities they served – people had to devote time or money every year keeping highways in good repair. As a result of this rather casual approach many roads were in poor condition. However, it often had little impact as most people got around on foot or by horse. The roads resembled tracks or paths rather than modern roads with paved or metalled surfaces. Goods were carried by teams of packhorses which followed ancient routes from town to town. Carts were used locally by farm workers and livestock walked many miles to market. The invention of modern road building methods transformed travel in the 18th century, enabling smooth rides for coaches and carriages. Inns served a national network of coach services. Some
hostelries had stabling for 150 horses because animals had to be changed every few miles to keep up the swift pace. Old records detail work on Wavertree’s two principal roads in the late 18th century. One was the Liverpool to Warrington road passing along High Street and the other carrying traffic between Garston and the north along Church Road. My ancestor Peter Guy was Liverpool’s postman around 1770. Letters and parcels were expensive – the recipient paid the postage - but use of the mail was increasing. It was around this time that street name plates were introduced and houses numbered. The Wavertree road supervisor’s 1771 accounts book shows that labour was cheap. Entries include Edward Justus’s wages of £1 19s 8d (£1.98) for 34 days’ labour – equivalent to about £200 today. Stones were carted for 2d (less than 1p) while
paving stones cost one shilling (5p) a load. Wavertree Church is pictured shortly after being built in 1794 with a couple in an open carriage heading south. The road is well maintained with street lamps and sidewalks. A stone mounting block dating from around this time still stands opposite the church. It enabled people to mount horses relatively easily, often when they were wearing
their best clothes for church. The church was well attended by wealthy people known as carriage folk. Several members of prominent Liverpool families were among the first to buy burial plots in the churchyard including the Tarletons, Eyes, Ewarts and Gildarts. Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, open 10 am to 5 pm every day, admission free.
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