Swinford Bridge is an archetypal Georgian bridge built of local limestone which opened in 1769. It replaced a ferry and its construction was funded by the then Earl of Abingdon.[3] The toll rights and concomitant duty to maintain are by Act of Parliament.[4][5] It also made the building of bridges across the river illegal for 3 miles (4.8 km) up or down stream. The bridge was completed two years later.[3][6]
If annual tolls outweigh annual maintenance the owners do not pay tax on that net income. This is a very rare perquisite agreed by Parliament and George III, rewarding the work of collecting the tolls in all financial circumstances.[7] It provides for a similar tax-free status of formal local authorities, on their surpluses, if any. It is one of the two remaining toll bridges that cross the Thames, the other being Whitchurch Bridge.
Since 1835, tolls for pedestrians have been abolished.[8] Cycles and motorcycles are also exempt from tolls. Other classes of traffic remain subject to tolls. The tariff starts at 5p in the case of cars (without other vehicle or trailer under tow). Campaigns have been occasional to make the bridge toll-free.[9]Oxfordshire County Council estimates that 10,000 motor vehicles cross the bridge each day.[10][self-published source?][11] Toll collection causes delays in the peak times of day. CCTV enables enforcement against evasion. An online poll in 2006 on the Witney Gazette website showed that 87.5% of voters wanted the tolls scrapped.
The bridge was put up for sale in 2009[7] and was sold at auction on 3 December for £1.08 million.[12][13] A campaign calling for Oxfordshire County Council to buy the bridge[7][14] was unsuccessful.
^An Act for building a Bridge cross the River Thames, from Swinford, in the County of Berks, to Eynsham, in the County of Oxford, 7 George III, c.63 / XVIII dated 1767 (National Archives Reference: HL/PO/PU/1/1767/7G3n22).
^ abcQureshi, Huma (17 November 2009). "Tax-free Thames toll bridge for sale". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2011. Swinford toll bridge near the village of Eynsham in Oxfordshire is for sale at auction with a guide price of £1m–£1.25m. ... Tolls were last [uplifted] in 1994, but local residents are calling for the charges to be scrapped.
