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Burwell, tollgate (Ness Gate) on Fordham Road before 1905 (photo J H Bullock) (Cambridgeshire Collection)

Burwell, Tollgate

History of Burwell Tollgate

The tollgate remained in use until 1905.

Tollgate, Ness Road, Burwell c.1900 (MoC103/70)

1899 (CDN 2.8.1899) I was cycling from Cambridge to Soham and between Burwell and Fordham I came suddenly upon a closed and barred gate, which I was kindly permitted to pass through on paying a toll of twopence. I learned that the gate is called the Ness Gate, that the roadway at this point is Crown property. In its present position this gate is a danger to cyclists but its very existence is a ridiculous and monstrous anomaly with its toll of 1d for every vehicle hailing from Burwell and 4d for every vehicle coming from less favoured districts. It is a very unfortunate circumstance that this piece of road is rented by the vice-chairman of the County Council.

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This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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