Whitney Toll Bridge
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Visit websiteThe fourth crossing of the river Wye on this site, the Whitney Toll Bridge enjoys tax-exempt status, granted by a 1797 Act of Parliament which stated: "The said bridge shall not be rated, assessed for or towards any public or parish rate or duty whatsoever." The first bridge on the site was built in 1779 but was later washed away by floodwaters, a fate shared by the following two bridges. The current stone and timber construction carrying pedestrians and B4350 traffic over the Wye was erected in the early 19th century and was extensively renovated in 1993.
Tolls are collected on the northern side of bridge (10p for motorbikes, 50p for cars and £1.50 for coaches). Prices are registered by the Department of Transport and can't be increased without permission. With the nearest toll-free bridges being four miles to the west and six miles to the east, up to 70,000 vehicles use the bridge every year.
The bridge has been owned by the same family for 180 years until it was bought by Brian Howard, a former bridge-builder and High Sheriff of Bedfordshire
It is crossed by the B4360 betwen Hay and Whitney.
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