Trent Bridge was built between 1787 and 1791 by the civil engineer, William Weston and is a handsome and substantial three-span bridge in ashlar masonry. Trent Bridge is Weston’s only known work in Britain as he left in 1792 from Falmouth for the United States of America to work for the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Navigation Company as canal engineer and superintendent. When completed Trent Bridge was the only bridge across the River Trent downstream from Newark-on-Trent.
Bridges are well-known as fantastic engineering structures developed to provide passage over obstacles from valleys, rough terrain, or even bodies of water such as the River Trent. They span those obstacles with natural or manmade materials. Bridges have been common ways of negotiating obstacles since as far back as the Romans. There is evidence of bridges being used in ancient times when civilizations began to develop in Mesopotamia. From the beginning of the development of bridges over time engineers have continued to enhance their knowledge, engineering, and manufacture of new bridge-building materials from timber to stone to iron to steel.
In the beginning, bridges were very simple structures that were built from easily accessible natural resources from wooden logs to stone or even dirt. Because of that, the first bridges ever made only had the ability to span very close distances, and their structural integrity was not high because the mortar was not yet invented, and rain slowly and constantly dissolved dirt fillings of bridges. Revolution in bridge construction came in Ancient Rome when engineers found that ground-out volcanic rocks can serve as an excellent material for making mortar. This invention enabled them to build much sturdier, powerful, and larger structures than any civilization before them. Seeing the power of roads and connections to distant lands, Roman architects soon spread across Europe, Africa, and Asia, building bridges and roads of very high quality.
One of the defining successes of Roman bridge architecture was their discovery of arches. The Romans were able to create bridges that were much lighter than before due to their discovery and were able to hold a load that was twice as heavy as the bridge itself. In the construction of their numerous aqueducts, Roman architects even managed to create water-carrying bridges with multiple arched tiers that reached incredible heights!
A document written by G Y Hemingway in 1977 has been transcribed by the Heritage Centre’s lead archivist Rosemary Speck. The document records the key decisions and developments with Trent Bridge over the years using source material. The first source entries are below. The history of Gainsborough includes the story of the town as a port and the river links were very important to the industries in the town. However, the need for a bridge over the river was becoming more relevant for the passage of people such as in 1643.
Moor, History of Gainsburgh (1904) P. 171;
The first mention of a Ferry at Gainsborough is in 1281 when it was worth 16s a year to William de Valence, the Lord of the Manor. In 1327, it was worth 50s. in 1376 40s., and in 1432, including two boats, 80s.
In 1643, the Duke of Newcastle made a temporary bridge of boats for the passage of his army.
Apart from an early bridge which may have been built near Knaith, the only means of crossing remained the ferry until late in the 18th century.
The story of the very beginning of our Trent Bridge as we see it today is shown in the passages below:
Creswell’s Nottingham Journal, 3-9-1785:
Application to be made to the next Session of Parliament to make a Turnpike Road from Gainsborough Ferry to East Retford, through Beckingham, Bole, North Wheatley, Hayton & Clareborough, with a branch to Gringley-on-the-Hill, where to join the Turnpike to Bawtry. Another meeting called for 19th September at Trent Port Inn.
Creswell’s Nottingham Journal, 8-10-1783:
At the meeting on 19th September, “it was the Opinion of the said meeting that the said road will be of very great public utility, and that a Bridge should be built across the Trent at or near Gainsborough Ferry, where the road is to begin”.
Another meeting called for 17th October, to consider the bridge and “to take into consideration such other matters as may be previously requisite to the intended Application to Parliament for the said Road and Bridge”. Clement Harrison, Solicitor
Lincoln & Stamford Mercury, 29-10-1783, P. 4, Col. 1:
Architects invited to submit plans, by 12th December, for a stone bridge. Premiums of 20 and 10 guineas offered for the best designs.
Creswell’s Nottingham Journal, 5-11-1785, P.4, Col.1:
“To Architects, building a Stone Bridge over the Trent”. At a meeting on 17th October, “it was agreed that the Bridge shall be built of STONE, that a most proper Situation and Shore for the said Bridge are at the South end of the Town of Gainsborough, and that premiums shall be given for plans and estimates of the said bridge. Notice is therefore given, to all Architects who are desirous to undertake to build a Stone Bridge over the River Trent—–that they may bring a plan and estimate of the said Bridge to the next meeting on 12th December, when Twenty guineas will be given to the Architect whose plan and estimate shall be most approved of, and Te guineas for the plan and estimate which shall be adjudged to be second best”.
Lincoln Castle Archives, ASW. 10/81/33, 12-12-1785:
Meeting at Trent Port Inn, Gainsborough Ferry. “Several plans and estimates of the intended Stone Bridge over the River Trent at the South end of the Town of Gainsborough were produced, and, there not being time for determining which of the Architects are entitled to the premiums offered at the last meeting — it was Resolved that the Architects shall leave their respective plans and estimates with Mr Clement Harrison, in order that the said premiums may be adjudged at the next meeting”.
And as by the estimates of the said Bridge and of the intended Turnpike Road from East Retford and Gringley-on-the-Hill, it appears that the said Bridge and Road will be completed for about £10,000, it was resolved that Applications shall be made to the next Session of Parliament for an Act for building the said Bridge and making the said Road, and for levying Tolls thereon.
19-12-1785: Letter of Clement Harrison to Thomas Whichcote Esq.:
“The plans and estimates I have transmitted to Lord Middleton, who, I believe, will direct them to be laid before a skilful Architect, well-acquainted with the River Trent, that their respective Merits and Demerits may be considered by a competent Judge and the Premiums properly adjudged, and his Lordship, I hope, will order the Architect to whom the plans and estimates will be referred to attend the next meeting. — By the Minutes, Sir, you will see the idea of getting the Bridge built by County Rates is given up, and that the Bridge and Road are intended to be raised by Subscription at Interest upon Credit of the Tolls to be laid thereon by Authority of Parliament.
And as it is the general opinion that the Tolls will greatly exceed a legal rate of Interest upon the money which will be wanted, and the Bridge and Road will undoubtedly be of very great and public utility, it is hoped, Sir, that you will honor the next Meeting at Trent Port Inn on the 9th January with your Company, in person or by an Agent”.
Trent Navigation Co. Minutes, 17-1-1786:
Mr Brough to take care that if a bridge is built at Gainsborough there shall be a clause inserted for making a tow path underneath one of the arches.
Nottingham Journal, 4-2-1786, P.3, Col. 3:
At the meeting of 27th January, “the Mayor and Corporation having delivered in objections to the proposed plans for erecting a bridge over the River Trent at Gainsborough, it was resolved, that the same be laid before Mr William Jessop, engineer to the Trent Navigation Company, and that he be requested to give his opinion thereon”.
It was resolved, that a committee be appointed to conduct the Business and advertise a meeting to be holden at the Blackmoor’s Head at Gainsburgh as soon as may be convenient after having received the Opinion of the said Mr William Jessop thereon”.
The premium of 20 guineas was adjudged to Mr John Simpson, Architect, and that of ten guineas to Mr Thomas Harrison, Architect.
Nottingham Journal, 11-2-1786, P2, Col. 5:
The committee, having received the opinion of Mr Jessop relative to the objections, have called a meeting for 17th February at the Blackmoor’s Head Inn, Gainsborough.
Nottingham Journal, 25-2-1786, P. 3, Col. 1:
At the meeting of 17th February, Sir Cecil Wray, Bart, in the Chair, it was resolved that the resolutions of the former meeting be confirmed. “Resolved that the Opinion of Mr Jessop upon the Objections delivered in at a former Meeting by the Mayor and Corporation of Lincoln be transmitted to the said Mayor, which Opinion this meeting conceive to be a full Answer thereto”. A Subscription opened. “Resolved, that Calls may be made on 14 day’s Notice being given”.
Lincoln Public Library, Local Collection 759.
“Arguments of a Lincolnshire Freeholder in Support of a Bridge at Gainsborough” (Undated, probably early 1786). The distance between Newark and the mouth of the Humber is about 70miles. The only three points which can be made use of for a bridge are at the Dunham, Littleborough and Gainsborough Ferries. Hitherto, the Trent has been “an almost insurmountable barrier. The delays to which all ferries are subject over navigable Rivers — the danger of them at some seasons, and the impracticality of passing at others is a sufficient argument in favour of Bridges in general”.
Dunham “is certainly more central than the rest”, but the southern part of the County would find it of little use and would continue to cross at Newark, while the NE Division of Lindsey would still find Walkerith Ferry preferable to a long detour via Dunham, which is too near Newark and too far from the Humber. “A bridge at Dunham, for these obvious reasons, would never pay any tolerable rate of interest for the money expended upon it, and, as it will never be adopted by a County Rate, is not likely to succeed in any shape or form whatsoever. To Littleborough’, most if not all of these objections will apply”.
If a proper stone bridge should be built at Gainsborough, the inhabitants of the north and north-east of the County will always prefer it to the ferry at Walkerith, and “the difficulty, delay and danger of passing the latter Ferry, particularly with droves of cattle, would be thus easily avoided. The numerous droves of beasts from different parts of Scotland, which pass at Walkerith or, in time of floods, go round by Newark, on their way to Norfolk and Suffolk, where they are fatted for the London market, would all come to this bridge. — The towns of Retford, Worksop, Mansfield and many others would reap singular benefit from this access to the town of Gainsborough”. Which would consequently increase in population, trade and wealth.
Nottingham Journal, 5-8-1786, P.3, Col.1:
“Notice is hereby given that application is intended to be made in the next Session of Parliament for leave to bring in a Bill for making a Turnpike Road from the west end of the Bridge intended to be built at or near the ferry over the River Trent from Gainsborough to the opposite shore in the Parish of Saundby — to East Retford, with a side branch from the boundary gate between the Parishes of Beckingham and Saundby — to the Town of Gringley-on-the-Hill”.
At the meeting of the 14th July, Resolved:-
1. That the Arches of the intended Bridge shall be of a Capacity and Width equal to the narrowest part of the Trent below the situation of the said Bridge.
2. That the Turnpike Road from the said Bridge over Saundby & Beckingham Marshes shall not be raised higher than the lowest part of Bole Bank.
3. That there shall be eight arches of the width of 15’ each under the intended road over the said Marshes for the passage of water in time of floods.
Notice to be given of the intended application to the next Session of Parliament, to be placed in the York, Nottingham, Lincoln and Birmingham papers.
There shall be a haling-path for men and horses under the bridge on the Nottinghamshire side, and one or more Toll-houses on the Bridge.
Sand may be dug, free of charge, from the South Common of Gainsborough. Materials for the bridge may be stored and worked on any waste land within 500 yards.
On completion of the bridge, Mess Hickman’s right of the ferry to cease, in consideration of £800, and the 16/- rent and the exemption from toll to cease.
The proprietors may raise £11,666-13-4 in 175 shares of £66-13-4, no Proprietor to have fewer than one or more than 35 shares, unless inherited by Will. Should this sum be insufficient, powers granted to raise up to £10,000 more.
The bridge to be vested in the Company.
Authorised Tolls:-
Every person on foot, one halfpenny.
Horse, mule or ass, laden & not drawing, two pence
Ditto, unladen and not drawing, one penny
Bull, ox, cow, steer, heifer or calf, one penny, except in droves over 100, when 1/3 per score
Sheep or lamp, one halfpenny, if a score or more, 8d. per score and ½ per head for the rest.
Boar, sow or pig, one penny
Hearse containing a corpse, thirteen shillings & four pence
Hearse not ditto, six shillings & eight pence
Coach, chariot, chaise, landau, phaeton and every other carriage hung on springs, with four wheels and drawn by one or more horses or other beasts of draught, two shillings & sixpence
Gig, whiskey, chair, and every other carriage hung on springs, with two wheels and drawn by not more than two horses or other beasts of draught, one shilling and six pence.
Waggon, the fellies of the wheels whereof are 6” broad, with seven or more horses or other beasts Of draught, two shillings and sixpence
Ditto, with 5 or 6 horses or ditto, one shilling and sixpence
Ditto, with 3 or 4 horses or ditto, one shilling
Waggon, the fellies of the wheels whereof are not 6” broad, with 3 or 4 horses or other beasts of draught, one shilling
cart, fellies 6” broad, 4 horses or ditto, one shilling.
Ditto, 2 or 3 horses or ditto, nine pence
Ditto, fellies not 6” broad, 3 horses or ditto, one shilling & three pence.
Ditto, 2 horses or ditto, one shilling.
Cart with one horse of ditto, eight pence.
The tolls may be reduced and then raised again. Cattle or carriages may re-pass free once in 24 hours. After the completion of the bridge, no person, horse, beast, cattle, stones, bricks, lime, manure or any other article or thing to be conveyed across the Trent other than by the bridge within the township of Gainsborough or Morton and the parishes of Saundby and Beckingham, on penalty of £5, half to be paid to the informer. If any person alight from a coach or other vehicle within 500 yards of the bridge and cross on foot and take another coach or vehicle, a penalty of £5, half to be paid to the informer.
No toll to be taken from an inhabitant of Gainsborough, or his or her servant, passing the bridge with a horse, mule or ass, his or her bona fide property, going to or from pasture in the parish of Saundby or Beckingham.
Not more than 6d. to be charged for the passage of a coach or other vehicle with 4 wheels, or 3d.
Nottingham Journal, 6.?. 7-4-1787, P.3, Col. 2:
“Monday the 2nd was observed in Gainsborough as a day of General Jubilee, on account of the Royal Assent having been given to the Bill for building a bridge over the River Trent. The morning was ushered in with the ringing of bells, colours flying and guns rattling from the vessels. In the afternoon, there was a bonfire in the Market Place, and several casks of ale were given to the populace, who made the town echo with shouts of joy. The evening was spent in perfect glee and good humour”.
History & Antiquities of Gainsborough, Stark (1884) P 200-1:
Plans of William Weston Esq. Adopted. Three elliptical arches, these on the East & West 62’ span, 22’ 8” rise, centre, 70’ span, 20’ 4” rise, piers and abutments 14’ thick at springing arches. Wing walls extended 39’ from abutments, making total length of bridge 323’.
Contract was £8,600, of which £600 to be retained for five years as security in case of failure of the work. The total cost, including the approaches, was over £10,000. The stone came from Bramley Fall and Meanwood, in Yorkshire: 51,471 cubic feet were used @ 9d. a cubic foot.
Nottingham Journal, 28-4-1787, P.2, Col.5:
At General Meeting of the Gainsborough Bridge Company held on the 19th, at Trent Port Inn, “Resolved that a Committee of 13 be appointed to manage, direct and carry on the Building of the Bridge”.
Wm. Hornby Esq. requested to accept the office of Treasurer.
“Resolved that the said Bridge shall consist of three arches, and that Mr Jessop, Engineer to the Company of Proprietors of the Trent Navigation, be requested to give his opinion to the Committee whenever they shall require it”.
Nottingham Journal, 22-9-1787, P.3, Col.3:
On Monday morning last (17th), at 6 o’clock, several workmen were set to level the Trent Bank at Gainsborough in order to erect the new Bridge”.
Lincoln & Stamford Mercury, 26-10-1787, P.3, Col.2:
“On Thursday last (15th) the first stone of the Bridge — was laid by Thomas Waterhouse of Beckingham, Esq., Sheriff of the County of Nottingham, who, being a subscriber to the work of £1060, gave his hearty assistance of three Strokes, and laid thereon three guineas. Several of the Subscribers also made handsome contributions, which, added to the numerous and generous benefactions of the people assembled, raised a considerable sum. The workmen, after their labour, drank success at a good supper, provide for the purpose. Several of the Subscribers, and other Gentlemen of the Town, also partook of an elegant dinner at the Ferry Boat//2.
Nottingham Journal, 18-6-1790, P.3, Col.2:
“The pleasing prospect which the forwardness of the new bridge over the Trent at Gainsborough affords cannot but give great satisfaction. — On Wednesday (16th) the whole inner frame of the third and last arch was moved by the men, the only attempt of the kind, except at Kew Bridge, with this great difference, that at Kew the boats were sunk at the first attempt, whereas at this it was done without the least incident. Great praise is certainly due to the Architect, Mr Western (sic) for his great exertions in speedily forwarding the workmanship. When done, it bids fair to be one of the handsomest bridges in the whole County.”.
Nottingham Journal, 25-9-1790, P.3, Col.2:
“Last Sunday morning (19th) as a boy was carelessly playing upon a large stone intended for the bridge now building at Gainsborough, it, unfortunately, tumbled over” and crushed his thigh.
Lincoln & Stamford Mercury, 5-11-1790, P. 3 Col. 2:
“On Tuesday 26th October, (being the Mart day) the bridge over the River Trent at Gainsborough was opened by the Proprietors for the general reception of passengers. And on the Thursday following the same was celebrated in a very magnificent style. — The Committee previously met at the Sign of the Ferry Boat in the forenoon, to transact some matters of business, after which was over they were joined by a great number of gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, who, out of compliment to the subscribers, came to join the joyful throng. About 1 o’clock, the procession began to move, proceeded by an excellent band of music, with colours flying and drums beating. In this order, they marched two and two across the bridge, on which was a splendid display of flags, and three pieces of cannon on the centre of the arches.
A table was spread, here the gentlemen of the Committee stood round to proclaim the opening, and on which was placed a plentiful stock of red and white, to drink the full toasts, each of which was accompanied by three cheers and a discharge of the guns:-
“1. This bridge, as much desired by the public, and which opens an immediate communication with the neighbouring counties, is this day declared open to passengers, under the Act of Parliament. May the same endure for ages yet to come.
2. May the Proprietors experience the utility of this public and expensive work, and long live to enjoy the reward due to so laudable and undertaking.
3. May unanimity and public spirit ever distinguish the inhabitants of the town of Gainsbro’, and may the trade thereof flourish until time shall be no more”.
They then returned in the same order to the Market Place “and, after parading it round, three cheers were given, from whence they adjourned to the White Hart Inn, where a genteel dinner was given”. with many toasts. “The afternoon was spent with the greatest conviviality and decorum several excellent songs were sung, and the evening terminated with the highest mirth and fun”.
Lincoln & Stamford Mercury, 20-2-1795, P. 3, Col. 2:
The bridge was undamaged in the great flood.
Following this, a statement was prepared for submission to the Ministry of Transport. Attempts to free the bridge had been made since 1865. An Act would be required before the Company could dispose of the bridge. Any new bridge would interfere with the navigation of the Trent: it was doubtful, too, whether a new bridge could be built for £80,000. The old bridge was fully capable of carrying modern traffic. It was recommended that the Ministry of Transport should find at least 60% of the cost either of the purchase of the existing bridge or the building of a new one.
One of the principal obstacles to progress was removed when, in August 1925, the Roads Improvement Bill, which empowered the Ministry of Transport to make grants towards the freeing of toll bridges, received the Royal Assent. In September, it was suggested that a price should be fixed by arbitration, and in October the Company’s reserve fund was estimated at not more than £300-£400. Tolls received had been £2,279-8-0 in 1914, £4,868-13 in 1921, £5,742-4-6 in 1922, £6,153-11-9 in 1923. The dividend per share in 1924 had been £50-16-8, and the year’s profits £5,998.
N.A. 2-11-1927,:
The bridge was declared “partially free” on Monday 31st October, by Henry Marbury, Director-General of Roads. “It will be the first bridge which national money has helped to buy”. Of the price of £130,000, half was provided by the Ministry of Transport, while £32,000 was to be raised by reduced tolls, it being expected that the bridge would become wholly free within five years. The Lindsey CC and Gainsborough UC were each to subscribe £12,167-10-0, and Notts. CC ££8,125.
The reduced tolls included:- Motor cars, 1s 3d instead of 1s 8d
Heavy lorries, 1s 8d instead of 2s 6d
Pedestrians & pedal cyclists, Free
Though the bridge had been declared free of rates and taxes under the 1787 Act, “under the new Act, the local exchequer will benefit from rates. When the bridge becomes entirely free, it will be handed over to the Notts. and Lindsey County Councils for upkeep”.The shares of the Bridge Company, issued at £66-13-4, had become worth £1,000 apiece as a result of “the tremendous amount of motor traffic which passes over the bridge from Notts, Yorkshire and Derbyshire to the East Coast”.
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. As the picture above shows the bridge was also widened in 1964.
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