Ovingham Bridges

Ovingham Bridges are two parallel crossings over the River Tyne between Ovingham and Prudhoe in Northumberland. The road bridge has eight spans and was built for vehicle traffic, while a separate footbridge was added later to serve pedestrians.

The road bridge was built in 1883 by the Ovingham Bridge Company and operated as a toll crossing initially. It became free to use after Northumberland County Council bought it in 1944.

The bridges link two village communities on opposite riverbanks that historically depended on each other for trade and daily life. This physical connection reflects how local people have always moved between the two sides to work, visit family, and conduct business.

The footbridge built in 1974 offers pedestrians a safe, separate path across the river. Vehicles on the road bridge are restricted to slow speeds and drivers should use caution, especially during peak hours.

Steel for the road bridge came from Dorman Long & Co, the same company that supplied material for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This connection shows how local engineering expertise in Northumberland was recognized worldwide.