The first
stone of Southwark Bridge was laid on this date in 1815. Here are some facts about Southwark Bridge.
- The bridge they started building in 1815 isn't the one that is there today. That one was an iron bridge designed by John Rennie (who also designed London Bridge). It consisted of three large cast-Iron spans supported by granite piers. The bridge was notable for having the longest cast iron span, 240 feet (73 m), ever made.
- The first stone was laid by Admiral Lord Keith on April 23rd, 1815, and the opening on March 24th, 1819. For this, the bridge was lit with lamps, and declared open as the clock on St Paul's struck midnight.
- It was originally known as Queen Street Bridge, and there was a toll. The bridge cost £800,000 to build, but the private company which built it went bust when the bridge failed to attract traffic. People preferred to use nearby Blackfriars and London bridges, which were toll free.
- Today's bridge, even though the toll was abolished in 1864, still has the lowest traffic utilisation of any bridge in central London.
- The bridge that is there today was designed by Ernest George and Basil Mott. It was built by Sir William Arrol and Co. and opened in 1921.
- The current bridge was given Grade II listed structure status in 1995.
- It is 800 feet (243.8 m) long and 55 feet (16.8 m) wide, carrying the A300 road across the Thames.
- Under Southwark Bridge to the south is a pedestrian tunnel with a frieze depicting the Thames frost fairs. There is also a set of old steps which were used by Thames watermen for mooring up and waiting for customers. Tourist attractions nearby include Tate Modern, the Clink Prison Museum, the Globe Theatre and The Shard.
- The bridge is owned and maintained by the City Bridge Trust, a charitable trust overseen by the City of London.
- Southwark Bridge is the "Iron Bridge" mentioned in Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend. More recently, it featured in the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Related Posts: Bridges over the Thames
Battersea Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
London Bridge
Southwark Bridge
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