Swinford Bridge opened in 1769.

It is one of the two remaining toll bridges that cross the Thames, the other being Whitchurch Bridge in Pangbourne, Berkshire.

It replaced a pre-existing ferry and its construction was funded by the then Earl of Abingdon.

In the 18th century organisations called Turnpike Trusts built high-speed roads for carriages and charged users tolls to get their money back - and make a profit.

Before that, each parish was responsible for its own roads - and the results were often impassable.

Although the new system did produce better roads, there were gaps - including a section between Witney and Oxford via Eynsham.

In order to provide a suitable alternative to ferry crossings or awkward detours - and avoid the threat of highwaymen - a bridge needed to built.

But in those days, it was very hard to raise money for building bridges - the Magna Carta protected people from being asked to pay for bridges 'where never any were before'.

Fortunately, the Earl of Abingdon, who owned a great deal of property on both sides of the river, was persuaded to cover the cost.

Unusually, the relevant Act of Parliament gave ownership of the bridge and its tolls to the earl, 'his heirs and assigns for ever'.

This was peculiar since Turnpike Trusts, which built many other roads, had a time-limited life, but nobody wanted to be responsible for the bridge's upkeep and this made it the Earl's responsibility indefinitely.

The Act also said that he had to pay all the taxes that the ferry had previously paid (such as land tax), but no other taxes.

Because income tax didn't yet exist, the tolls were income-tax free - and remain so to this day.

Since 1905, there have been attempts to abolish the tolls at Swinford but to no avail.

The tariff starts at 5p in the case of cars (without other vehicle or trailer under tow).

CCTV enables enforcement against evasion.

In 2009, the toll bridge, along with a cottage next to the bridge, a car park and more than four acres of land, was sold for just over £1 million at auction.

A campaign calling for Oxfordshire County Council to buy it was unsuccessful as the council said it did not have the funds.

Campaigns have been occasional to make the bridge toll-free.

An online poll in 2006 on the Witney Gazette website showed that 87.5% of voters wanted the tolls scrapped.