Roads have been a part of life in Britain  for at least 6,000 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Track
Much of the countryside is dictated by the line of roads. The Highways Agency has a website page on more recent history.
http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/1813.aspx 
It’s notable that until the last century it was Parishes that were responsible for road maintenance to ensure overall free movement throughout the network, each Parish relying on every other Parish to maintain roads in their area. Today Local Authorities are largely responsible for maintenance.

We usually choose to move to an area with good road connections. Having moved there we find that other people use the road in travelling from one place to another.

This balance of the convenience of  safe, expeditious movement vs regard for the surrounding area is enshrined within the Road Traffic Act.