On 21 January 1797, the following advertisement appeared in the Leeds Mercury :-

FERRYBRIDGE BRIDGE

West Riding of Yorkshire

NOTICE is hereby given That the Christmas General Quarter Sessions of the Peace will be adjourned from Doncaster, to be held at the House of Mr. Hall, in Ferrybridge, on Thursday The Twenty-sixth Instant, at the Hour of Eleven o'Clock in the Forenoon, in order to take into Consideration, and decide whether the intended New Bridge at the Place shall be built in the Situation of the present Bridge, or in one a little higher up the River, as now staked out for that Purpose; at which Time and Place such Persons as think proper may deliver in Plans for building the said Bridge in either Situation; and a proper Gratuity will be given to the Person who shall produce the most approved Plan or Plans for building the said Bridge.

By Order
JOHN FOLJAMBE,
Deputy Clerk of the Peace,
Wakefield. January 14th. 1797