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Hierarchy Browser Number8001/12/4
TitleWorcester Bridge Trust
DescriptionDeeds, accounts books and other financial records, legal papers and general administrative papers concerning and created by the Trustees of the Worcester Bridge. The Trustees of the Worcester Bridge ceased to exist when the tolls ceased to be collected, and although there was some delay in this actually happening, by 1885 the transfer of the bridges, toll houses,ground-rents and money, along with all the Trustees' documents, to the Corporation was complete.

Worcester's ancient bridge crossing the River Severn was owned by the Corporation of Worcester, which used the money levied from tolls for repairs and maintenance. By the late eighteenth century, it was clear a new bridge needed to be built, and the site chosen was a very short distance from the original bridge.

The new bridge crossing the River Severn was built by John Gwynne and opened in 1781. Under the 1769 Act that gave permission to construct a new bridge, the Corporation was granted permission to build a new bridge. The costs of £29,843 was largely raised on the security of the tolls, which were let out (in1796 the tolls were let for £1,670 a year).. The terms included a condition that the tolls for foot passengers would cease once the debt fell to £5,000. In 1779 the tolls were increased by another Act as they had not proved enough to cover the debts, and varied again by an Act in 1823.

Two iron footpaths for pedestrians were added to the bridge in the 1840s under the supervision of Edward Leader Williams. The increasing popularity of motor vehicles and increased traffic volume meant that the bridge was widened in 1932.
Date1567-1939
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