Ever noticed how Southwark Bridge seems to carry less traffic than its neighbors? It stands as a vital link between Southwark and the City across the River Thames. Today, we will explore the story of this iconic structure.
Southwark Bridge has a fascinating history. The first Southwark Bridge was the brainchild of John Rennie the Elder. Construction began in 1814 and finished in 1819. The bridge cost a staggering £700,000 to build. That is equivalent to about £67.1 million today. Sadly, fifty people lost their lives during its construction.
Originally known as Queen Street Bridge on an 1818 map, it soon became Southwark Bridge. Its design featured three impressive cast-iron spans resting on granite piers. The bridge boasted the longest cast iron span ever made at the time, measuring 240 feet. It earned the nickname “The Iron Bridge”. You might find a mention of it in Charles Dickens’ “Little Dorrit”. The iron spans were crafted in Masbrough, Rotherham.
Initially, Southwark Bridge was a tolled operation. It aimed to compete with the free Blackfriars and London bridges. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt. In 1864, the City of London Corporation rented the bridge. They made it toll-free. In 1868, the corporation purchased it for £218,868. That’s about a third of the original construction cost.
By 1912, the City of London Corporation decided that a wider bridge was necessary. It needed to handle the growing traffic. Ernest George and Basil Mott designed a new bridge on the same site. Sir William Arrol & Co. won the contract in 1913. World War I caused delays. The new Southwark Bridge finally opened on June 6, 1921, by King George V.
Look for a plaque halfway across the bridge on the western side. It commemorates the rebuilding by the Bridge House Estates Committee. It also acknowledges King George V and Queen Mary for opening it in 1921.
Southwark Bridge provides access to Upper Thames Street on the north bank. It is owned and maintained by Bridge House Estates. This is a charitable trust overseen by the City of London Corporation. Southwark Bridge gained Grade II listed structure status in 1995.
Nearby, you will find Vintners’ Court to the northwest. This 1990s office block features a classical façade. The Tate Modern, the Clink Prison Museum, and the Globe Theatre are near the south end. Below the bridge on the south side, are old steps. Thames watermen once used these steps to moor their boats.
A pedestrian tunnel exists below the bridge on the south side. It’s part of the Queen’s Walk Embankment. Inside, a frieze depicts the Thames frost fairs. Cycle Superhighway 7 runs along Southwark Bridge.
Southwark Bridge has made appearances in popular culture. It is in films like “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”. Charles Dickens mentioned the “Iron Bridge” in “Our Mutual Friend” and “Little Dorrit”.
Southwark Bridge stands as a testament to engineering innovation and the evolving needs of London. Its story reflects ambition, financial struggles, and ultimate triumph as a vital part of the city’s infrastructure. So, the next time you cross this bridge, remember its rich history and the many lives it has touched.