Description and History of Site:-
Valley or Half Penny Bridge formerly spanned the steep valley that had been laid out as the Valley Gardens by the developers of Saltburn. Built in, 1869 the bridge, which had cast-iron columns and a wrought-iron girder deck, was 600ft (183 m) long and 140ft (43 m) high and cost £700. It was built by Messrs Hopkins Gilkes & Co of Middlesbrough for the Wharton's of Skelton Castle. The general public were allowed to use the bridge at the following fees:

Pedestrians "For every person not being in charge of a horse or vehicle" 1/2d
Led horse mule or donkey 1d
Carriage drawn by one horse 2d; by two horses 3d; by four horses 6d.
Cycle or perambulator 1d.

In 1877 this bridge was the scene of early experiments in telephony when Mr Francis Fox and Judge Ayrton passed messages over wires running from one side of the bridge to the other.
The bridge was demolished c1975.

Film of the bridge in operation in 1969 can be seen at:-

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-12-june-1969-saltburn-hapenny-bridge-1969-online

Film from 1971 can be seen at:-

https://www.facebook.com/BBCArchive/videos/524462437926791/

Hatcher noted - Single storey brick toll hose at one end toll booth at the other. Cross girders on very slender iron columns. Delicate iron railings.

The toll house is now (2017) the only remaining structure (as a private residence). The remains of two of the cast-iron columns can be found in Valley Gardens forming the abutments to a new bridge.

Further Reading and References:-
Atkinson F, Industrial Archaeology of North East England, Vol 2 The Sites, 1974, p328
YAS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972.
Hatcher J, The Industrial Architecture of Yorkshire, 1985
http://www.saltburnbysea.com/html/halfpenny-bridge.html

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Key Words :- foot bridge

Viewing the Site :- Some foundations remains are still visable and can be viewed from the public footapths along the valley

Address :- Saltburn, North Yorkshire
Grid Ref :- NZ 66606 21245
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.582030 , Long -0.970981
Local Authority :- Redcar and Cleveland District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Site demolished or no longer extant
Site Condition :- Site cleared - no above ground remains visible
Site Dates :- 1869 - 17/12/1974
Record Date :- 5 June 2015

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