Whilst little is known about the operation of the ferry it must have been a daunting prospect as it was later described as 'dangerous and frequently impassable' in the Act of Parliament authorising the construction of the bridge.

The act established a body of trustees to construct 'a proper and substantial Bridge, for the Passage of Carriages... over the said River, at or near the said Ferry'.

Firstly by the issue of fifty share units held on a life annuity basis, by which £5,000 was raised by thirty-six subscribers.

The bridge was then taken over by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company on the opening of the Steyning Line from Shoreham to Horsham in 1861.

The bridge was completely rebuilt by the company during the First World War retaining the original eighteenth century design.

The Railway Magazine in the January–February 1946 issue said "It may be remarked here that the Shoreham-Horsham branch crosses the highway on the level at the Old Shoreham end of the wooden bridge, where a block signal box is provided.

The bridge has now been designated a bridleway[citation needed] and is a popular local landmark used by both leisure and commuter traffic on foot, bicycle and horseback.