The Complex stands midway between Cambridge and Ely on the A10, the Roman Akemen Street. This old road had fallen into disuse by the 11th century when the main route was along the Aldreth Causeway. However, some travellers still came this way, crossing the Old West River by a ferry until 1763 when a Turnpike Road was opened with a bridge at which tolls were paid.
The original bridge was narrow and very steep; farmers needed to put extra horses on their carts to pull them over. Motorcars too found it difficult to negotiate, so it was replaced in 1925 by the existing structure, which was tested by placing four traction engines on it. It carried all the traffic along the A10 until the road was realigned in 1976.