Vauxhall Bridge
Vauxhall and Kennington, London SW1 and SE1

In 1809 an Act of Parliament authorised one more bridge, and Vauxhall Bridge was conceived as part of a great new thoroughfare from Hyde Park Corner to Greenwich.  

In 1811 the foundation stone was laid by Lord Thomas Dundas, standing in for the Prince Regent. Originally named Regent's Bridge, the name Vauxhall Bridge was restored during construction.  Designed by the engineer James Walker, this was the first iron bridge to span the Thames. 

The nine-arched cast-iron structure stood in deeply embedded stone, faced with granite, 809 ft and 36 ft wide.  Tolls were charged after the bridge opened in 1816 but in 1879 these were abolished. 

Tidal scour had made the piers in a dangerous condition.  Repairs to the bridge were too expensive but the construction of a new bridge was delayed. A temporary wooden bridge was thrown out across the river and demolition work began in 1898.  

However, work on the new structure did not begin until 1904.  The present bridge five-arch steel bridge was designed by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice.  The five spans make up a crossing of 809 ft, with a width of 80 ft. 

Vauxhall Bridge was opened in 1906 by the Prince of Wales (later George V).  The bridge was the first in London to carry trams.  

Vauxhall Bridge is unique in having its piers decorated by heroic-sized bronze statues. 

Sculpted by Frederick Pomeroy and Alfred Drury, these female figures represent the Arts and Sciences.  The figures facing downstream, towards Westminster, represent Local Government, ducation, the Fine Arts, and Astronomy.  Facing upstream away from London are figures representing Agriculture, holding a scythe, Architecture, holding a model of St Paul's Cathedral, Engineering, holding an engine and Pottery, holding a vase.