Cox Green footbridge

Cox Green Footbridge is a pedestrian crossing over the River Wear near Sunderland with a concrete deck and steel support structure. The structure features a central pier and tubular steel beams that support the crossing.

The bridge opened in 1958 to replace a ferry service that had previously provided crossing. This new link fundamentally changed how local people moved between communities and supported economic activity in the area.

The bridge links Cox Green village with Washington, allowing local people to cross easily between the two communities for work and daily activities. Pedestrians use this crossing regularly to maintain connections with neighbors and access services on either side of the river.

The crossing is available to pedestrians and cyclists at any time of day for crossing the river freely. The structure is open to all users and does not require reservations or special arrangements to use it.

The structure showcases an uncommon blend of tubular steel and concrete techniques from the 1950s that were innovative at the time. These construction methods reflect the engineering approach of the post-war period and remain visible in how the bridge was built.

Location: Sunderland

Inception: 1958

Official opening: 1958

GPS coordinates: 54.89080,-1.49410

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:04