London Bridges.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 19, 8 May 1912, Page 60

London Bridges.

Continued from page 34. unofficial estimate—not prepared by myself—of the average daily traffic over five of the chief bridges.

From this estimate it will be seen that the traffic over London Bridge is roughly equal to that over Waterloo and Westminster put together; a.id yet each of these two latter bridges already overcrowded. The requirements in this section would probably be met by a reconstruction of the approaches to Southwark Bridge: the, building of a new' bridge from Southwark to St. Paul's ; the construction of a new bridge to replace the inadequate one at : and the widening of Waterloo to meet the demand* of the ever-growing traffic over this narrow bridge. An alternative scheme to that of widening Waterloo Bridge would be the construction of a new bridge across the Thames at Charing Cross at the junction of Northumberland Avenue ami the Embankment. If it were possible to lay down any general rule. I should say that the requirements of London's ever-multiplying population and traffic demand facilities for crossing the Thames placed at a maximum of throe furlongs (fifiO yards) apart in the first section of the river, and something lietween a half and threequarters of a mile apart in the second section. Also a general rule that the width of the roadway on any bridge in the first section should not 1h? less than 35 feet, and in the second section not If-*-* than *25 feet. Most persons will admit that, as the n.ini’i nm possible, it would be necessary to widen or rebuild four bridges. I am excepting the Tower and Battersea bridges, which max l>e taken as near en<mght to the minimum width—and erect one new bridge in the first section and at least two in the second. The question of improving Southwark ami Lanil'eth bridges has already been offiui.illy and the provision of a n v bridge—the St. Paul's—has ..’ready received < ffieial sanction. The question of widening Waterloo Bridge d s not appear to have been suggest si at any time: neither am I aware that any -nggostif n J made earlier in the article for a new bridge from Charing < ro-s has ever been officially discussed. itli the architectural beauties and >th.rwi-p— principally, alas? otherwise •—of London’s bridge*. I have not the ip* •->ary space to <!-al at any length, (t can safely be said, however, that not more than half a dozen of the existing bridge* are worthy of a place in the neart of the capital of the greatest Empire of the world, and some of tlie remainder would moat certainly be jonaidered a* lowering to the dignity of many of our provincial towns.

Pedestrian \ ehieular Bridge Traffic. Traffic. London . 110.000 22.000 Southwark <’>.000 1.500 Black friars .. 70,000 12.000 Waterloo 45.000 9.000 Westminster 65.000 14.000