Image ID: 18942

Wilford Toll Bridge, River Trent

Wilford Toll Bridge
Nottingham, Wilford
England

See also NTGM007026 for coloured version of this view. A toll bridge was opened in 1870 ending 400 hundred years of ferry crossings between Wilford and Nottingham. The ferry made its last voyage across the Trent on the18th of September, 1864 although the Wilford Toll Bridge was not opened until the 16th of June, 1870. During the period in between, a temporary wooden bridge for foot traffic was erected. Wilford Toll Bridge took much longer to build than expected as first work began in 1863! It was built by the last Baronet of Clifton, Sir Robert Clifton. The bridge was built to support the traffic for Clifton's Colliery (also opened in 1870) on the opposite banks of the Trent. It was also expected to relieve the wear and tear on the crumbling Trent Bridge and offer a far safer passage over the river than the ferry. Unfortunately for the Clifton Family , the brand new Trent Bridge opened in 1871 robbing them of a lot of potential revenue. The bridge remained in the ownership of the Clifton family until the Council took it over in 1969. Throughout the 99 years it belonged to the Clifton's, all traffic and pedestrians were charged a toll. Locals used to refer to it as the 'Halfpenny Bridge'. The bridge was closed to traffic in 1974. The centre span of the bridge was in a poor state and so had to be demolished. The centre spans were replaced by a smaller foot bridge. The Clifton influence on the bridge is represented on the North bank of the bridge by a tall, dominating statue of Sir Robert Clifton. The pillars of the original sections of the bridge still bare colourful metal plaques bearing the Clifton coat of arms. The Tollhouse is on the city side of the River Trent. (partly extracted from the excellent 'Wilford and Clifton' web site)

Date: 1900

Organisation Reference: NCCS002221

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