Description:During the 18th Century Birmingham expanded rapidly. Its population grew from 15000 in 1700 to 70000 in 1800. All these people needed food from the countryside and the Moseley Road was one of the main routes from the Vale of Evesham to the Birmingham Markets. By 1750 there were 80 pack horses a day crossing the muddy heath and in 1767 this increased transport led to the track becoming a turnpike road with money charged at the toll gate for its upkeep.