Bridges of York

There are five bridges across the River Ouse in York, England. The original Ouse Bridge is on a site dates from Roman times, though the bridge was rebuilt by the Tudors and then the Victorians. The Scarborough Railway Bridge of 1845 was the second bridge, followed by two more road bridges, Lendal Bridge in 1863 and Skeldergate Bridge followed in 1882. The Millenium Bridge, a footbridge was added in 2001.

North to south, the bridges are:

• Scarborough Railway Bridge
• Lendal Bridge
• Ouse Bridge
• Skeldergate Bridge
• Millennium Bridge

The Bridges

Ouse Bridge

An engraving of the Tudor-built bridge

The Bridge over the Ouse gave York its strategic position. The bridge was originally built by the Romans. In the 16th century the bridge collapsed. A Tudor bridge was built in 1565 and dismantled 1810-1818.

Millennium Bridge

York Millennium Bridge in Winter

The York Millennium Bridge was opened on 10 April 2001 costing £4.2m to build. It spans the River Ouse to the south of York, linking Fulford with the South Bank. The bridge carries a footpath and cycle path. The bridge shortened the walk for students from houses in the South Bank to the University as they previously had to walk via Skeldergate Bridge. The bridge also acts a meeting place for local kids who should have better things to do, this has lead to several acts of vandalism to the bridge and the surrounding area.

References

• The Fairest Arch in England: Old Ouse Bridge, York, and its Buildings ISBN 1874454264

External links

• A virtual tour of the Millennium Bridge