Show on mapThe Halfpenny Bridge was constructed in 1869 for Mr John Thomas Wharton of Skelton by Messers Hopkins, Gilkes and Company Limited for a cost of £7000. Its purpose was to open up the opposite side of the valley for development (which never actually happened)
The iron bridge was somewhere between 120ft – 160ft high (depending on your sources) and 660 feet long. Faced with rising maintenance costs the bridge was sadly demolished on 17 December 1974
A small bridge made from salvaged parts of the original still crosses the river.
In the woodland on the Saltburn side, remains of the bridge abutment can still be found.
Next to the modern bandstand is a plaque which marks the Saltburn end of the bridge
The railings behind the bandstand are also the same design from the bridge
The toll-keepers house also still stands on the Skelton side.
The bridge appears to be of a similar constructional style to the railway viaducts of Staithes and Sandsend.
The same company definately built the Deepdale and Bellah viaducts, but they are both gone as well. (also the Tay Bridge and you know what happened to that)
Would that be Thomas Bouch of Tay bridge fame then?
First or Second Tay Bridge?
Kilton Viaduct was similar but it was filled in with mine waste to form an embankment when it started to have subsidance problems
The Saltburn Bridge was actually engineered by Charles Willman of whom, more information can be found here: http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Charles_Willman