Near by the Navigation Inn and Whitehouse Signal Box, aside the railway line is this delightful looking but dilapidated property. This was a toll bar, which was built around 1854.

The idea of paying a toll to use a road in a town is mostly obsolete these days, however some notable examples of toll roads still exist including the Tyne Tunnel.
However in Middlesbrough up until 1916 charging a toll for anything other than pedestrians to use a road proved quite lucrative. This toll bar was owned and overseen by Middlesbrough Estates, however others belonged to local magnates such as Mr J W Pennyman or Lord Furness. Cargo Fleet Road is now pedestrianised at the western most end, however in the 1800’s it was a well used route in and out of the town.

Middlesbrough Corporation was keen to do away with tolls for road usage, it was proving quite a encumbrance when it came to moving goods around the town and indeed further afield.

On 31st July 1916 toll roads in Middlesbrough were abolished.

Following this the toll bar here apparently saw use as accommodation for railway workers at the near by Cargo Fleet railway station.