Fatfield Bridge

Fatfield Bridge was officially opened on 29th January 1890 by the 3rd Earl of Durham, serving as a vital crossing over the River Wear and linking Fatfield with Houghton-le-Spring. The bridge quickly became an important route for both local traffic and the surrounding communities, playing a key role in regional connectivity. It was constructed by Head Wrightson, a renowned engineering firm based in Thornaby-on-Tees, known for producing iron structures and industrial machinery during the height of Britain’s engineering prowess. Interestingly, Head Wrightson ceased operations in June 1987, just three years before the bridge’s 100th anniversary, making the bridge one of the many lasting legacies of the company’s engineering excellence. Today, Fatfield Bridge stands not only as a functional structure but also as a historic landmark, symbolising over a century of local heritage and industrial achievement.