Southwark Bridge
The City and Southwark, London SE1 and EC4

As the population of London grow during the Industrial Revolution it soon became apparent that a new bridge was needed over the Thames. 

The Southwark Bridge Company, founded in 1813, commissioned John Rennie to designed the new bridge, to be built 300 yards from the ancient riverside harbour of Queenhithe. 

The new cast-iron bridge, with three flat arches, was given approval, even though the Corporation of London and Thames Conservators had objected to its construction as the Corporation disliked the idea of a private tollbridge, while the Conservators believed that building it would be hazardous to navigation. 

To solve the problem of navigation the design included one of the largest cast-iron arches ever built. 

Southwark Bridge opened in 1819 but, with inadequate approaches, a humped roadway and was a toll the crossing proved unpopular and was little used.

When Southwark Bridge was freed of tolls in 1864 it soon began to take its share of traffic.  However, by the end of the 19th century the structure was considered too narrow to cope with the increased volume of traffic and the decision was made to replace it. 

In 1913 the demolition work started on the old bridge, but due to World War I it was not completed until 1921. The new bridge has five steel arches supported by turreted piers.  Its five spans, two each of 123 ft and 131 ft on either of a 140 ft arch, were designed so that the river piers line up with those of Blackfriars Bridge and London Bridge. 

The unusual pierced turrets which give the bridge its somewhat old-fashioned appearance were designed by Sir Ernest George RA.  At night it is lit by distinctive lamp standards, each bearing three lamps.