In 1724, the only road of any significance through the Peak District was the remains of a Roman road suffering from 1300 years of neglect, supplemented by a well-developed system of pack horse trails. However, between 1724 and 1826, a transformation took place through the creation of Turnpike Trusts- each Trust was empowered to charge tolls on specified lengths of road and to borrow money for the maintenance and improvement of the roads in its charge. This book describes the seven Trusts serving the town of Buxton- the development of the routes between Buxton and the large industrial towns of Manchester, Stockport and Sheffield , the smaller industrial towns of Macclesfield, Leek and Congleton and the large villages of Tideswell, Ashford, Longnor etc.; the many changes in route as traffic needs changed; the tolls and toll gates; the traffic , from packhorses to stage coaches and stage waggons; the financial problems; and the competition from railways and canals