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The 1801 Inclosure Act (2)
Roads and Rights of Way |
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A Second function of the Inclosure Acts was the setting up of roads and the confirmation or diversion of rights of way. In 1801, the only maintained highway in the parish was the Higham Ferrers—Kimbolton turnpike (toll) road, now the B645, the rest being tracks that had developed by common usage.
The creation of the hedged inclosures created the spaces for both public and private roads. These new public roads were to be maintained by the parish levy and two stone pits were opened, so as to provide local materials for road surfaces.
Stone pit No.1 was adjacent to Bidwell lane, more or less where the Caldecott village sign is now, whilst pit No.2 was adjacent to the Higham Rd, in what is now Duchy Field, adjacent to Hawthorn House.
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The Rights of Way were classed as either Foot Roads (footpaths) or Bridle Roads (bridleways) and most have survived to the present day, though a few have been lost due to buildings and gardens. An example of an extinguished footpath is one which ran north from the Church to Higham—Kimbolton turnpike road (now the B645) through what is now gardens. On the other side of the Higham Rd, the footpath (MM2) is still in use and passes over Duchy Field toward Hillside. |
