Crossing vehicles used to be charged a toll, but this system was scrapped in 1882, when the North Riding County Council bought the bridge.

[8] The bridge has experienced numerous problems, due partly to its age, but mainly due to the increasing numbers of heavy goods vehicles and heavily laden farm vehicles using the bridge and causing damage, especially when they have loads in excess of the maximum gross weight (MGW).

[9][10][11] Issues have included the locking pin falling out of place, cracks forming in the supporting structure, and jamming of the swing mechanism, which has caused heavy traffic delays and tailbacks.

In October 2003, the bridge was closed for five days for urgent repair work, after a vehicle collided with a safety barrier.

In late December 2015, heavy rainfall led to flooding across large parts of northern England and Wales.