London's Bridges

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2636260/The-changing-face-London-Incredible-photos-reveal-transformation-wrought-capital-iconic-bridges-200-years.html

[stewey]

Very interesting photographs, especially the old B/W ones. I didn't realize that there were so many bridges across the Thames (20).

[New Judge]

There are more than 20 if you count railway and footbridges, stewey. I can count at least 31 between the sea and Teddington Lock (where the river ceases to be tidal):

QE Bridge Dartford
Tower Bridge
London Bridge
Cannon Street (Railway)
Southwark Bridge
Millenium Footbridge
Blackfriars Railway Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
Waterloo Bridge
Golden Jubilee (Footbridge)
Hungerford Bridge (Railway)
Westminster Bridge
Lambeth Bridge
Vauxhall Bridge
Grosvenor Bridge (Railway)
Chelsea Bridge
Albert Bridge
Battersea Bridge
Chelsea Railway Bridge
Wandsworth Bridge
Fulham Footbridge
Putney Railway Bridge
Putney Bridge
Hammersmith Bridge
Barnes Footbridge
Barnes Railway Bridge
Chiswick Bridge
Kew Railway Bridge
Kew Bridge
Twickenham Bridge
Richmond Bridge

In addition there are four road tunnels (two at Dartford plus Blackwall and Rotherhithe) and two foot tunnels (Woolwich and Greenwich). As well as this the London Underground passes under the river at least ten times (in twenty tunnels), and there is at least one abandoned underground tunnel near London Bridge. The DLR passes under the river twice, and lastly there is the Emirates "Skyline" cable car !

(I'm bound to have left something off)

[twix123]

Hi New Judge - you did omit at least one tunnel under the Thames, being the High Speed One or Channel Tunnel Rail Link, tunnel between Southfleet in Kent and West Thurrock in Essex.

[New Judge]

Quite right twix.Thanks. I just cannot keep up !!!!! :-)

[Canary42]

There are two Jubilee footbridges, one each side of Hungerford Rail Bridge, and which of course replaced the old Hungerford footbridge (which IMO was far more "exciting").

[twix123]

I know NJ, the arguments are still going on regarding another crossing east of the QE2 bridge, with 3 possibilities either connecting the M2/A2 to the M25 in Essex or widening the A282 (M25) crossing at Dartford, plus the proposed, but now I believe abandoned, crossing at Abbey Wood to the A13/North Circular.

[twix123]

I agree with you Canary. I used to enjoy the stroll along the Strand, down Villiers Street, up the steps as if to go into Charing Cross station and then walk across Hungerford footbridge to the South Bank and Waterloo station if the weather was good.

[New Judge]

Yes, for the last option you mention, twix, the land was cleared on the north bank around the Albert Basin/ Gallions (site of the Gallions hotel) at least fifteen years ago. I believe some of this area has now been redeveloped and apartments have been built where the bridge approach might have been.

Why this option was never progressed is beyond me. A crossing between Dartford and Tower Bridge is sorely needed (Blackwall and Rotherhithe tunnels are hopelessly inadequate and the Woolwich Ferry is simply a waste of time). I suppose it will be provided about the same time as London gets an extra runway at one of its airports.

[Canary42]

I notice that the original link article states Richmond crossing as "serene". Not in my experience, the daytime traffic (road and pavement) can be horrendous at times (especially for example before a major match at Twickers).

On a completely different angle, I sometimes think it would be interesting to build a new bridge across the Thames like the original London Bridge (and Pulteney Bridge in Bath), with shops/houses on either side of the road. One small contribution to the housing shortage, and a world attraction to boot.

[DrFilth]

many thanks for posting love looking at the old photographs

[Peter Pedant]

wow thx AOG

[jubieanna]

I love old photos. It's great to see the contrasting up to date ones with them. Thanks aog. Interesting pics

[tonyav]

Some old photos from WW1 I saw earlier today.
http://photos.uk.msn.com/slideshow/photos/from-the-front-unseen-ww1/2xdu843a

[jubieanna]

God. Those trenches must've been hell on earth. Harrowing. Thanks for posting them tony

[tonyav]

Yes, that was my thoughts to, jubieanna.

[anotheoldgit]

Thanks for the list of crossings Judge, makes one wonder if it would have been quicker to asphalt over the whole river. :0)

Brilliant WW1 photos tonyav, I see Lord Haigh managed to keep his boots mud free.

[redman41]

The sooner they knock down some of these Bridges the better, they are an eyesore.
London itself is an Eyesore..

[tonyav]

I see Lord Haigh managed to keep his boots mud free.


Yes, I noticed that to, aog, I'm sure that in the unfortunate event of his boots getting mud on them his batman would have repolished them !.

[atalanta]

The article omits the fact that Waterloo Bridge was built by women. Known as the "Ladies" Bridge"
As usual, such a feat was swept under the carpet as soon as the bridge was finished, with men being credited with all the work.

[Elina]

Thanks aog, I really enjoyed looking at these.