Trent Bridge, Gainsborough is a road bridge crossing of the River Trent at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
History The bridge was built by the civil engineer, William Weston between 1787 and 1791.biographical dictionary of civil engineers in Great Britain and Ireland. A. W. Skempton. 2002 It is a handsome and substantial three span bridge in ashlar masonry. The overall width was 26 ft 3in, although cantilevered walkways have been added subsequently.
The bridge is Weston's only known work in Britain as he left in 1792 from Falmouth for the United States for the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Navigation Company as canal engineer and superintendent.Kirby, Richard Shelton. "William Weston and his contribution to early American engineering." Transactions of the Newcomen Society 16.1 (1935): 111-127.
When completed it was the only bridge across the River Trent downstream of Newark-on-Trent.
In 1932 a white metal medallion was issued to celebrate the freeing of the toll bridge. The toll bridge was purchased 31 October 1927 for £130,000 and freed from toll on 31 March 1932.
Toll charges A toll was payable from opening until 1932. The bridge was a commercial success from the start.Civil engineering heritage: Eastern and central England. E. A. Labrum
Transport The bridge carries the road
See also List of crossings of the River Trent
References