Gunthorpe Bridge


Gunthorpe Bridge refers two crossings across the River Trent at Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire. The first cast-iron bridge was built in the Victorian era using a Local Act of Parliament. However due to its weak load limit, the advent of heavier motor vehicles resulted in a replacement crossing being built further upstream in the 1920s.

History

Original bridge

Until 1875, the only way to cross the River Trent at this point was to use a ferry or ford. This was limiting commerce in the area so the Brititish Parliamnet agreed that a permanent crossing was required. The Gunthorpe Bridge Company was formed following the passing of the . Capital of £7,500, to build the cast-iron truss bridge was raised through the sale of £10 shares. The foundation stone was laid in 1873 and the new bridge opened to traffic in 1875.
Crossing tolls were set as follows:
  • horse and carriage 1/-,
  • horse and wagon 6d,
  • horse alone 3d,
  • people and passengers 1d,
  • motorcycles 3d,
  • cars 1/-
  • lorries 2/6,

    Second bridge

The Victorian structure began to show its age with the introduction of motor vehicles. With a maximum limit of, heavier commercial traffic such as trucks and vans were unable to use the crossing. The empowered Nottinghamshire County Council to buy out the Gunthorpe Bridge Company, demolish the old bridge and replace it with the present one.
The current bridge, which is a three span, reinforced concrete arch bridge, was built in 1927. It is upstream from Old Gunthorpe Bridge. In conjunction with the new bridge, was a new bypass around the village of Gunthorpe and East Bridgford. The central arch has a span of while the two side arches span. All three arches are supported by four concrete ribs.