Valley Bridge

The first Valley Bridge opened in July 1865. It was originally intended to be the first Lendl Bridge across the river at York. But in 1861 while it was being constructed, it collapsed into the river killing 5 men. Some enterprising Scarborough businessmen bought it, fished it out of the river, and erected it over the Valley. It was a toll bridge and you could buy shares in the company for £200. There was a single toll of a half a pence for pedestrians and vehicles As you can see from the photograph (approximately 1890) it was much narrower than it is now and was supported by only two piers. In 1928 a new wider bridge was opened to cope with the increased flow of traffic and it ceased to be a toll bridge.