Marriott Ogle Tarbotton designed the bridge. Andrew Handyside, a Derbyshire iron manufacturer, began construction in 1868 and finished it in 1871. The new Trent Bridge was built as part of a series of initiatives along the river's banks to increase flood defenses by building stepped stone embankments. These were intended not only to protect downstream properties but also to improve fishing opportunities by providing safe nesting sites for fish. The original toll gates on the bridge were demolished when they were found to be inhibiting traffic flow during peak times. They had been making a profit of about £10,000 per year. Instead, an electronic ticket system was introduced in 1997 that allows traffic through the bridge free of charge during non-peak hours (from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and provides a fee structure for other times. The maximum fee that can be charged is £150 ($225) for a single vehicle. A driver who fails to display a valid ticket upon request from a police officer can have their car photographed and have a penalty point added to their license. Trent Bridge was one of four bridges across the River Tees constructed between 1867 and 1872. The others are Bishop Auckland Bridge, Hebblehead Railway Bridge, and Billingham Main Colliery Bridge. All were designed by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton and all are still in use today.