(Above) Chelsea Bridge. © English Heritage
Seven of the capital's bridges spanning over 140 years of Thames crossings have been listed by the Department for Culture Media and Sport following advice from English Heritage.
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham announced the listing with English Heritage Chief Executive Simon Thurley on Wednesday November 26 2008, next to Lambeth Bridge.
Acting upon advice from English Heritage, Chelsea, Lambeth and Richmond Railway Bridges will be listed at Grade II, whilst Cremorne, Hammersmith, Twickenham and Vauxhall Bridges will be listed at, or upgraded to, Grade II*.
The new listings will provide the bridges with greater protection against any unsympathetic development and will help to ensure that they are preserved for future generations.
“Bridges have straddled the Thames, uniting North and South London, for centuries. In fact, there is evidence of structures across the river dating as far back as 1500BC,”said the Culture Secretary.
“These seven examples represent the very best of Britain’s bridge-building heritage; from one of the first modern suspension bridges in the world to Britain’s only example of sculpture on a river crossing.
“They show British engineering at its best. I believe they should be celebrated and preserved for generations to come.”
(Above) Lambeth Bridge © English Heritage
Simon Thurley, Chief Executive for English Heritage said: “London’s bridges are the vertebrae of this great city’s spine – the River Thames. Considering their architectural and historic contribution to the capital, a surprising number of these magnificent river crossings do not have statutory protection.
“I am therefore delighted that the Minister has agreed with our advice and has awarded these spans listed status or upgraded their original listing. It is a fantastic endorsement of London’s heritage.”
The bridges vary in age and design; the oldest is Cremorne Bridge opened in 1863 and is one of the earliest railway bridges to survive in its original form.
(Above) Cremorne Railway Bridge © English Heritage
The most recent is Chelsea Bridge, which was opened in 1937 and is 212 meters long and 25 metres wide.
Lambeth Bridge, where the launch took place, was opened in July 1929 by King George V and Queen Mary and is on an ancient landing site from the 13th century that was used to receive the monarch on state occasions.
In 1965, it became the first of the capital’s bridges to be tunnelled beneath to create a pedestrian walkway along the embankment.
For more information please go to www.culture.gov.
