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BRIDGES:
The bridges have necessarily played an important part in the
history of the town, given that the Esk divides the eastern side from the
west. There have been bridges at or near the present site since "time immemorial",
a will of 1327 mentions shops at Bridge Foot (Whitby) suggesting a bridge
at this date. It is known that there was a bridge at Slieghts 1180-1208
and Whitby being more important would certainly have had one earlier. There
was also a plank bridge at Bog Hall. Old documents state that the ground
was surveyed for a new bridge in 1609. A drawbridge with stone pillars
was built in 1766. Plans to replace this bridge were
drawn up in 1813 but were not implemented for another 20 years plus, when
Messrs. Craven of York started to demolish the old bridge 20th. June 1833.
The foundation stone on the west side was laid on January 1st. 1834, and
on the east side June 20th.1834. The bridge was completed and the opening
ceremony took place on the 25th. March 1835. This was the first swing bridge.
1827 saw a scheme to build a high level bridge further up river and there
is now a high level bridge on the main road to Scarborough. Responsibility
for the bridges passed from the county to the urban district council in
1906. In 1909 the bridge was replaced by another
swing bridge, this time electrically operated, some of the worn mechanism
was replaced in 1984. In 1976 work
was started on the new high level bridge further up river, working difficulties
and bad weather delayed the proposed opening in May 1978 and the bridge
was finally finished and opened on May 21st. 1980. |
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