Stamford Bridge (bridge)

Stamford Bridge is a historic bridge, in the village of Stamford Bridge, in the East Riding of Yorkshire in England.

The bridge, in 2005

In the Roman period, the River Derwent could be crossed near the fort of Derventio by a ford. The first bridge in the area is believed to have been built during the existence of the Kingdom of Northumbria, a narrow, timber structure, which may have been on the site of the ford, or about 160 yards (150 m) downstream. The next record of a bridge is in 1280, on the downstream site, and this is probably the same structure described in 1581 as having stone piers supporting a timber bridge.^[1]

Stamford Bridge (Replacement and Tolls) Act 1724
Act of Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
Long title	An Act to enable the Justices of the Peace for the East Riding of the County of York to take down the County Bridge, called Stanford Bridge; and to build a Stone Bridge, at a more convenient Place, over the River Darwent, in the said Riding, instead thereof.
Citation	11 Geo. 1. c. 10
Dates
Royal assent	24 March 1725
Other legislation
Repealed by	Statute Law Revision Act 1950
Status: Repealed

The adjacent footbridge

In 1727, a new bridge was constructed, a further 160 yards (150 m) downstream, where the river is narrower but deeper. It was designed by William Etty. It is built of stone, with three arches: a wider central arch, and narrower north and south arches which are usually dry. There are narrow refuges, formerly for pedestrians, and a stone parapet.^[2]

In 1765, the road became a turnpike, and it was tolled until 1812.^[1] Its southern span was widened in the 19th century. It has been grade II* listed since 1952, and was formerly also a scheduled ancient monument.^[2] The bridge now carries the A166 road,^[2] from York to Bridlington.^[1] In 1967, a steel footbridge was constructed alongside the road bridge.^[1]

The bridge was damaged after a number of traffic strikes and was closed for a number of weeks in 2024 to undergo repairs to the stone parapets. Traffic bollards were also installed to prevent further collisions.^[3]