Richard J. Moore-Colyer

This is a study of the development of roads and trackways in Wales from the Romans to the Turnpikes. So from the 1st to the 19th century. This is a lot of history but the development does seem to go in stages - obviously people were travelling around before the Romans but it is as good a place as any to start. Divided into five chapters Moore-Colyer focuses mainly on one area for section - so for The Romans it is the mid-west of Wales; the next section is about the medieval roads that led to and from Strata Florida Abbey; then the 17th century roads of Radnorshire; the long standing Drover's roads across the border to England and finally the regulation and development of the Turnpikes.

To some extent this is a walker's book, as many of the routes are not so accessible to modern methods of transport. He includes grid references along the way and hand drawn maps of various sections of the routes. There are a lot of black and white photographs of the areas discussed and various other documents that are relevant to the subject. In places the text is dry but also, for me, there are hints of a wry humour and great titbits of local history. The edition I read was printed in the 2007 (the second edition) but this has little revision from the original 1980's text and there have been changes to the landscape, especially the much complained about Forestry Commission monoculture.

I'm not familiar with all the areas he covers but I am a long term resident of West Wales and have been on a lot of the roads he mentions. I'm not sure of a wider audience for this book but, if you plan on visiting the area; have an interest in the local history or the development of road systems I think this book is worth a read.… (meer)