Haddlesey Iron Bridge

Constructed 1834. Designed by Joseph Glynn. Ironwork by the Butterley Co.

1913 'THE CONDITION OF HADDLESEY BRIDGE. Attention has been called these columns to the condition Haddlesey Bridge over the River Aire, about six miles south Selby, on the main road to Doncaster. The bridge, which is a free thoroughfare, and the property the West Riding County Council, is the only free bridge east of Ferrybridge over the river. Like the toll bridge at Carlton, some miles lower down the Aire, it is closed to locomotives and all heavy motor traffic, weighing more than three tons to the axle. Traction engines have been prohibited from passing over for nearly thirty years, and since 1904 restrictions have been placed on its use by motors under the Heavy Motor Traffic Act. Made of cast-iron, with three spans, resting on stone piers, the bridge appears be of sufficiently solid construction. It is, however, subject to vibration, and consequently the County Council have had to close it to heavy traffic. Being the main road from Doncaster, the regulations are frequently disobeyed, owing the ignorance of their existence by the drivers of heavy vehicles from a distance. These frequently arrive at the bridge to find they are precluded from availing themselves of it without risk of heavy fines. The alternative to running the risk of damage to the bridge and certain fines for breach of the bye-laws is a long journey of many miles round Ferrybridge. In the circumstances, not a few prefer to take the risk.
The public inconvenience is serious, and the loss of time great by having to abandon this route, which is only twenty miles from town to town. Suggestions are now being made that the County Council should take the matter into their serious consideration, ....'

1936-8 Bridge reconstructed.

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