It replaced an earlier wooden footbridge, built in 1761 by a company of comedians who performed in Salford, and who wanted to grant patrons from Manchester access to their theatre.

To obscure the then badly polluted river from view, at some point in the 1870s its original stone balustrade was replaced with cast iron.

The Act of Parliament that enabled its construction allowed for its owners to charge a toll for crossing the bridge, but this arrangement was brought to an end in March 1848.

This was erected by a company of comedians keen to allow people from Manchester to easily cross the Irwell, to visit the Riding School on Water Street in Salford, where they performed.

[15] Blackfriars Bridge is a sandstone ashlar and cast-iron construction, crossing the water below in three classical-style semicircular arches.

At some point during the 1870s the bridge's open balustrade was replaced with cast iron, to remove the badly polluted river from view.

It lies within the Parsonage Gardens Conservation Area, and was granted Grade II listed status on 4 February 1988.