Albert Bridge, London
Albert Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames in West London. It connects Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank.
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Design | Ordish–Lefeuvre system, subsequently modified to an Ordish–Lefeuvre system / suspension bridge / beam bridge hybrid design |
| Piers in water | 6 (4 before 1973) |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 19,821 vehicles (2004)[1] |
| Location | |
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History
Albert Bridge was designed and built in 1873 as a cable-stayed bridge, it proved to be structurally unsound. Between 1884 and 1887 Sir Joseph Bazalgette added some elements of a suspension bridge. More work was done in 1973. As a result, the bridge today is a hybrid of three different design styles.
Built as a toll bridge, it was unsuccessful. Six years after its opening it was taken into public ownership, and the tolls were lifted. The tollbooths remained in place, and are the only surviving examples of bridge tollbooths in London. Its nickname is 'The Trembling Lady' because of its tendency to vibrate when large numbers of people walked over it. Signs at the entrances warn troops from the nearby Chelsea Barracks to break step while crossing the bridge.
With a roadway only 27 feet (8.2 m) wide, and with serious structural weaknesses, the bridge was ill-equipped to cope with motor traffic. Despite this, Albert Bridge has remained open to vehicles, apart from brief spells for repairs. It is one of only two Thames road bridges in central London which have never been replaced.
The strengthening work did not prevent further decay of the bridge's structure. Strict traffic control limits its use and prolongs its life. It is the least busy Thames road bridge in London except for Southwark Bridge. The bridge's condition continues to get worse as the result of traffic. Also, severe rotting of the timber deck is caused by the urine of dogs using it as a route to nearby Battersea Park.
In 1992 Albert Bridge was rewired and painted in an unusual colour scheme designed to make it easy to see, and avoid being hit by shipping. At night it is lit by 4,000 bulbs, making it one of West London's most striking landmarks.
In June 2012, the bridge was highlighted on the route of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames.[2] The Royal Barge launched from the pier at Albert Bridge.[3]
Albert Bridge, London Media
Chelsea and Battersea in 1891, showing (left to right) Old Battersea Bridge, Albert Bridge, Victoria (now Chelsea) Bridge and Grosvenor Railway Bridge. Battersea and Albert bridges are 400 metres (1,300 ft) apart.
The 1868 Franz Joseph Bridge in Prague was built to the proposed design of the future Albert Bridge.
Chelsea Embankment and Albert Bridge under construction, 1873
The octagonal tollbooths are London's last surviving bridge tollbooths.
Concrete central piers were added in 1973, making the bridge an unusual hybrid of a cable-stayed bridge, suspension bridge and beam bridge.
The unusual colour scheme is intended to increase visibility to shipping in poor lighting conditions.
Albert Bridge from the Chelsea front. September 2023.
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Related pages
References
- ↑ Cookson, Brian (2006). Crossing the River. Edinburgh: Mainstream. p. 316. ISBN 978-1-84018-976-6. OCLC 63400905.
- ↑ Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, Key facts Archived 2012-06-05 at the Wayback Machine; Londontown.com, "Thames Jubilee Pageant,". Retrieved 2012-6-4. Archived 2012-06-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Potter, Alistair. "Kate Middleton goes red for Queen's Diamond Jubilee pageant on Thames," Archived 2012-06-05 at the Wayback Machine Metro (London). 3 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-6-5.
Other websites
Media related to Albert Bridge at Wikimedia Commons
- Daily Mail, Thames pageant graphic; Archived 2012-06-05 at the Wayback Machine