This iconic wooden footbridge linked Lemington with the Percy Pit and led to the pit houses and the pit heap. It crossed the North Walbottle Waggonway which was a ‘self-acting incline’ used for transporting coal from the pits. Full coal trucks coming down the line from North Walbottle Colliery were operated by a means of cables and brakes which then pulled the empty ones back up.

Many people were terrified to cross the bridge, such was its precarious state. It was extremely rickety and shaky - particularly if you had the misfortune to be crossing as the trucks were passing underneath. If you study the painting, you will see that the handrail wasn’t even attached on the far side and there was a missing step halfway up! It earned the nickname “the monkey bridge” from daredevil local kids who used to climb up the underside of the steps like monkeys – pulling themselves up by their arms!