On Chelsea Bridge
A beautifully lit bridge spanning the Thames between Battersea Park and Chelsea.
HISTORY: Chelsea Bridge took advantage of the latest analytical techniques developed by American and Continental engineers over the previous 40 years and represented a major step forward in British bridge building practice. The bridge was opened on 6 May 1937 by the Prime Minister of Canada, W L Mackenzie King, as the construction work had used Douglas fir from British Columbia in Canada. As in several public buildings of the 1930s the decision was made to use only materials from the UK or Commonwealth Countries (another example is Broadcasting House, the BBC's Headquarters in Langham Place, of 1931).
The first bridge on the site was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1846 and built in 1851-8 to complement the new Battersea Park, laid out just before the bridge's construction. The suspension bridge, by architect Thomas Page, was described at the time 'as the most beautiful of the bridges that crossed the Thames'. Tolls were initially payable but this led to public complaints that the 'government gave a park to the people but placed a toll-bar at the gate to keep them out'. The tolls were removed in 1879, when the Metropolitan Board of Works acquired ownership of the structure. The bridge was never formally named and was known as 'the Victoria' after its official opening in March 1858 by the Prince Consort and the Prince of Wales. The change of name to Chelsea Bridge coincided with further strengthening in 1880, following an earlier episode of strengthening works in 1863-4. By the 1920s its replacement was being seriously considered, but the financial crises of the period delayed action until 1935, when the bridge was demolished following the Royal Commission on Cross River Traffic recommendations of 1926.
Source: historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/139300...
100x: The 2024 Edition
15/100 London landmarks by night
On Chelsea Bridge
A beautifully lit bridge spanning the Thames between Battersea Park and Chelsea.
HISTORY: Chelsea Bridge took advantage of the latest analytical techniques developed by American and Continental engineers over the previous 40 years and represented a major step forward in British bridge building practice. The bridge was opened on 6 May 1937 by the Prime Minister of Canada, W L Mackenzie King, as the construction work had used Douglas fir from British Columbia in Canada. As in several public buildings of the 1930s the decision was made to use only materials from the UK or Commonwealth Countries (another example is Broadcasting House, the BBC's Headquarters in Langham Place, of 1931).
The first bridge on the site was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1846 and built in 1851-8 to complement the new Battersea Park, laid out just before the bridge's construction. The suspension bridge, by architect Thomas Page, was described at the time 'as the most beautiful of the bridges that crossed the Thames'. Tolls were initially payable but this led to public complaints that the 'government gave a park to the people but placed a toll-bar at the gate to keep them out'. The tolls were removed in 1879, when the Metropolitan Board of Works acquired ownership of the structure. The bridge was never formally named and was known as 'the Victoria' after its official opening in March 1858 by the Prince Consort and the Prince of Wales. The change of name to Chelsea Bridge coincided with further strengthening in 1880, following an earlier episode of strengthening works in 1863-4. By the 1920s its replacement was being seriously considered, but the financial crises of the period delayed action until 1935, when the bridge was demolished following the Royal Commission on Cross River Traffic recommendations of 1926.
Source: historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/139300...
100x: The 2024 Edition
15/100 London landmarks by night