Great help thanks. My search included all of the on-line old newspaper searches I could find which can be a bit problematic due to the OCR! and also this book:

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qLYHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA317&lpg=PA317&dq=%22Se...

I have been trying to put together a postcard using my sons picture of the bridge here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fjcc/11886334943/in/set-72157639650269244

Including some history of the bridge. Proceeds entity for a local charity, as the 200th anniversary of the bridge is approaching, but wanted to be positive of all the facts. Some of the old newspaper articles give a great insight into how people where thinking at the time. Both myself and my wife have relatives who lived in the forest so this forum could be a great help in untangling that. So a great find! Many thanks for your reply.