Pontage

Pontage was a toll levied for the building or repair of bridges dating to the medieval era in England, Wales and Ireland.

Item 23 of Magna Carta states that "No village or individual shall be compelled to make bridges at river banks except those who from old were legally bound to do so."

As a consequence "grants of pontage" or licences to collect tolls for a limited period were frequently issued by the King to those appointed or permitted to bear the cost of maintenance.

[1] Pontage was granted by the king by letters patent for a limited term, sufficient to enable the requisite public works to be done.

[2] The term pontage is also applied to lands in Cambridgeshire, which were liable to repair the bridge of Cambridge as an incident of tenure.

Sign on Nether Bridge, Kendal , noting that it was paid for by a 1376 grant of pontage by Edward III .