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 British Parliament agreed that a permanent crossing was required. The Gunthorpe Bridge Company was formed following the passing of the (33 & 34 Vict. c. xxxii). 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 (15 & 16 Geo. 5. c. lvii) 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.
See also
List of crossings of the River Trent
References