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.
An Act to authorise the construction of a Bridge over the river Trent in the county of Nottingham, and Roads and Approaches thereto, to be called "the Gunthorpe 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 Gunthorpe Bridge Act 1870 (33 & 34 Vict. c. xxxii). Capital of £7,500 (equivalent to $770,000in 2025), 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
Nottinghamshire County Council (Gunthorpe Bridge) Act 1925
An Act to authorise the County Council of the administrative county of Nottingham to acquire the undertaking of the Gunthorpe Bridge Company to authorise the County Council to construct a new bridge at Gunthorpe across the River Trent and for other purposes.
The Victorian structure began to show its age with the introduction of motor vehicles. With a maximum limit of 6,000kg (13,000lb), heavier commercial traffic such as trucks and vans were unable to use the crossing. The Nottinghamshire County Council (Gunthorpe Bridge) Act 1925 (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 400m (1,300ft) 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 38m (125ft) while the two side arches span 31m (102ft). All three arches are supported by four concrete ribs.
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