Southwark Bridge

Southwark Bridge, opened in 1819, is 800 feet long and 42 feet 6 inches wide, and was one of the first bridges in London constructed of iron. (Vauxhall preceded it in this respect.)

Its three spans - two of 210 feet, and one of 240 feet - have a fine effect, but as a means of communication between the two river banks the bridge is notoriously inefficient because of the dip from Queen Street, which so intensifies the up-gradient to the crown of the bridge that drivers of heavy vans prefer to go over London Bridge; and thus it is chiefly used by cabs and light vehicles.

On the south side the approach is fairly good, but on the north side the condition of things is not satisfactory, and it was suggested in 1900 that a viaduct should be made from Cannon Street to the crown of the arch, bridging over Upper Thames Street.

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