Southwark Bridge

Southwark Bridge is an arch bridge for traffic linking Southwark and the City across the River Thames, in London, England. It was designed by Ernest George and Basil Mott. It was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. and opened in 1921.

Southwark Bridge

Crosses                    River Thames

Locale                      Southwark, London, England

Total length             800 feet (243.8 m)

Width                      55 feet (16.8 m)

Longest span           240 feet (73.2 m)

Opening date          1921

History

A previous bridge on the site, designed by John Rennie, opened in 1819, consisted of three large cast-iron spans supported by granite piers. It was known as the "Iron Bridge"[citation needed] in comparison to London Bridge the "Stone Bridge".

The bridge was notable for having the longest cast iron span, 240 feet (73 m), ever made. It is frequently referenced by Charles Dickens, for example in Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend, and there was a recreation of the old bridge made for the 2008 Little Dorrit (TV serial). The bridge provides access to Upper Thames Street on the north bank and, due to the Ring of steel, there is no further access to the City and the north. This has led to a reputation of it being the least used bridge in central London and it is sometimes known as the "car park bridge" as coach drivers use it to park their vehicles. The current bridge was given Grade II listed structure status in 1995.