Couple’s toll bridge on market for £800,000

A COUPLE who sold their home to buy an ancient toll bridge have now put it up for sale for almost £800,000, after making an estimated £100,000-a-year in fees tax-free.

Grahame Penny, 56, and Maggie Taylor, 53, bought the Whitney-onwye Toll Bridge between Hereford and Hay-onwye six years ago for £400,000.

Built in 1779, it is one of only eight privately-owned toll bridges in the UK and its £1 fee raises thousands of pounds from commuters and tourists.

The historic bridge comes with a two-bedroom cottage, 1.1 acres of land and with an Act of Parliament granting exemption from tax because it was privately funded.

The pair purchased their centuries-old home in 2012 with a vision to capitalise on their beautiful surroundings. But the couple are now selling the 228-year-old bridge for £795,000 as they want to retire.

Ms Taylor said: “It is so busy now. It needs someone with a bit more energy to now take it forward.”

With the nearest alternative bridge more than six miles away, the crossing is used regularly.

As owners of the bridge, the couple allowed charities to take over the bridge for a day and collect up to £14,000 in donations.