Wilford Toll Bridge

Wilford Toll Bridge, locally referred to as the 'Halfpenny Bridge', is a tram, pedestrian and cycle bridge in Nottingham, England. It crosses the River Trent between the Meadows and Wilford. It originally opened as a toll bridge for general traffic in 1870, but was closed when declared unsafe in 1974. Following demolition of the central span, a narrower footbridge and cycleway was opened in 1980. The bridge was once again widened to accommodate an extension of the Nottingham Express Transit network in 2015. Parts of the northern side of the bridge are Grade II listed building, including the former toll house. HistoryWilford FerryUntil the bridge opened a Wilford Ferry was in operation for some 400 years. This ferry was the scene of a disaster in 1784, when in the midst of a gale an overcrowded ferry boat capsized, and six unfortunate passengers were drowned. Another fatal accident occurred on 10 January 1837 when John Oakley, a Wilford farmer, and two others used another boat which drifted downstream and capsized when it hit the ferry chain. An act of parliament was obtained in 1862 for the construction of a bridge. The ferry service ended on 18 September 1864, when a temporary wooden footbridge was opened. Wilford Toll BridgeThe toll bridge opened on 16 June 1870. It was built by Sir Robert Juckes-Clifton, 9th Baronet for the traffic for Clifton Colliery. The bridge was a cast-iron structure by Andrew Handyside of Derby.

Wilford Toll Bridge, locally referred to as the 'Halfpenny Bridge', is a tram, pedestrian and cycle bridge in Nottingham, England. It crosses the River Trent between the Meadows and Wilford. It originally opened as a toll bridge for general traffic in 1870, but was closed when declared unsafe in 1974. Following demolition of the central span, a narrower footbridge and cycleway was opened in 1980. The bridge was once again widened to accommodate an extension of the Nottingham Express Transit network in 2015. Parts of the northern side of the bridge are Grade II listed building, including the former toll house. HistoryWilford FerryUntil the bridge opened a Wilford Ferry was in operation for some 400 years. This ferry was the scene of a disaster in 1784, when in the midst of a gale an overcrowded ferry boat capsized, and six unfortunate passengers were drowned. Another fatal accident occurred on 10 January 1837 when John Oakley, a Wilford farmer, and two others used another boat which drifted downstream and capsized when it hit the ferry chain. An act of parliament was obtained in 1862 for the construction of a bridge. The ferry service ended on 18 September 1864, when a temporary wooden footbridge was opened. Wilford Toll BridgeThe toll bridge opened on 16 June 1870. It was built by Sir Robert Juckes-Clifton, 9th Baronet for the traffic for Clifton Colliery. The bridge was a cast-iron structure by Andrew Handyside of Derby.