Blackwell Bridge

Blackwell Bridge was planned in the early part of the nineteenth century; the tolls for use of the bridge and the associated turnpike received Royal Assent in 1831. The bridge was built in 1832, but before this, most traffic going south from Darlington used Croft Bridge, though a ford did exist at the point where Blackwell Bridge was constructed, however, many lives are recorded as lost at this point due to being swept away by the waters. The main thrust for building the bridge was the transport of coal from Durham into North Yorkshire, which had to use the bridges at either Piercebridge, or Croft, so private finance was raised to enable the building of the bridge. However, within a few…