Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

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RobBain
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Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by RobBain »

Hi

I'm currently compiling a photobook of toll roads, bridges and tunnels in England and Wales. I'm providing a short (3-para) description of each: when built, cost?, history, anything interesting, strange or funny etc. But I'm stumped with Cartford. Can find very little info on the web. I don't even know when it was built. Does any subscriber know anything about the Cartford Toll Bridge in Lancashire?

Thanks in advance.

Rob
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Bryn666
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by Bryn666 »

There seems to be more information about the nearby pub than the bridge itself.

I've always wondered about it too. What there did used to be was an absolutely ancient direction sign on the A586 near it but that's long since gone.
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RobBain
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by RobBain »

Bryn666 wrote:There seems to be more information about the nearby pub than the bridge itself.

I've always wondered about it too. What there did used to be was an absolutely ancient direction sign on the A586 near it but that's long since gone.
I agree, Bryn. It would be OK if I was compiling a photobook on pubs!!

This is all I have so far (attached).

Kind regards,

Rob
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Cartford.JPG
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wrinkly
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by wrinkly »

OS maps show a bridge marked as "(Toll)" from 1895. An 1870s map shows a bridge marked "(Wooden)". More recent OS maps show what may be a purpose-built toll house on the north side.

Streetview shows signs naming The Cartford Bridge Company Ltd as the owner or operator. Googling the company name finds a Companies House record for them with a registered office in Clevedon.
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RobBain
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by RobBain »

wrinkly wrote:OS maps show a bridge marked as "(Toll)" from 1895. An 1870s map shows a bridge marked "(Wooden)". More recent OS maps show what may be a purpose-built toll house on the north side.

Streetview shows signs naming The Cartford Bridge Company Ltd as the owner or operator. Googling the company name finds a Companies House record for them with a registered office in Clevedon.
Thanks Wrinkly - I found the Companies House stuff but there's no real detail there. When I spoke to the toll collector they said something about the metal deck being put there during the war (WWII?) so that the army could drive tanks over it. I didn't pay too much attention - thinking 'I'll get all of this on the net'. Stupid me!

Rob
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A303Chris
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by A303Chris »

I don't know much about the Bridge but the Cartford Inn used to be a cracking pub, haven't been for over 12 years though
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by ScottB5411 »

I used to go over the bridge every day to get to a coach company I used to work for. The toll more than covered the cost of driving up the A6 and more often than not, sitting in traffic.
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by M0HKL »

I have become more and more fascinated by what is an ancient road and area here of great historic signifigance, though as you have found, almost totally forgottten. I would like to write a book on it (though normally I'm a railway person) but I'm not sure I have time for the huge research that would be required, so really it requires a Michael Wood or Tony Robinson to investigate - Robinson touched on it when he investigated the Leeds and Liverpool canal, but barely scratched the surface. What really tragic is the loss of the oral history that would have been available around a a hundred years ago. The reason it's forgotten is the changed landscape, industry, trading changes, culture in Lancashire that isn't really interested greatly in this period other than at a supeficial level, and it's huge, brash, colourful neighbour Blackpool. Cartford bridge is the most visible remaining relic of an old coast road that ran from Liverpool to Lancaster. Both ports are presumed quite modern, though this road suggests a much older hidden history before the industrial revolution. The road is straight in parts that I suspect Roman influence, though of course it is massively overshadowed by roads and towns further over like Ribchester.
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by M0HKL »

It is very hard to find references anywhere but note that besides Tony Robinson getting near when he mentioned the Douglas branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal, the road also got a mention by Michael Wood in his documantary about Shakespeare, and a supposed connection to Catholic west Lancashire. The road used to ford the Wyre here at Cartford, but it also used to ford the formerly hugely wide river Ribble at Freckleton and Hesketh bank. When they built the port of Preston the river was narrowed and dredged to make it much deeper so that ships could get in and out of Preston, and that was the death of this road, and the final blow to the whole area, which then completely turned over to the holiday trade. They put in a chain ferry but it was inevitable that traffic would take a hard right at Tarlton crossroads and be diverted then through Preston in time. Even more fascinating for me is for me though is the activity and former importance of this road at a time when a route to Scotland across Shap was hard so traffic tended to go by sea from Lancaster, Liverpool, and also to the Isle of Man and Barrow in Furness. Poulton-le-Fylde was a major slaving port in a way that is painful to see, but more interesting to me are the fascinating signs here and there of a smuggling history.
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by M0HKL »

Not to forget Eire and the New World as well!
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c2R
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by c2R »

Well, I've started a wiki page for the Bridge and put what little information we do have on it... Cartford Bridge
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From the SABRE Wiki: Cartford Bridge :


Cartford Bridge is a privately operated toll bridge over the River Wyre. There is a toll house with barrier on the north side of the Wyre.

The bridge is subject to a 10mph speed limit and 7.5T weight limit.

OS maps show a bridge marked as "(Toll)" from 1895. An 1870s map, and an earlier 1848-9 map both show a bridge marked "(Wooden)".

... Read More
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wrinkly
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by wrinkly »

fras
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Re: Cartford Toll Bridge (nr Blackpool)

Post by fras »

wrinkly wrote: Sat Apr 17, 2021 00:00 Toll keepers wanted

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-l ... e-56746244
Don't all rush to apply at once, it'll overwhelm the admin.
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