London's prettiest bridge
Albert Bridge
The Albert Bridge is the only one of the older bridges in central London that has never been replaced.
Rowland Ordish's design was for a cantilever bridge. Each half of the bridge was held up by bars radiating from the top of its supporting towers. It was built in this style between 1871 and 1873.
In 1884 Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the engineer who built London's sewers, strengthened and modernised the Albert Bridge. His changes made the structure more like a suspension bridge.
The London Council wanted to replace the bridge because it was not strong enough for modern traffic. There was a big campaign to save the bridge led by the poet Sir John Betjeman.
The campaigners won. Instead the bridge was strenthened by adding two concrete piers under the main span. When the bridge reponed in 1973, it was still only suitable for light traffic.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 12 May 2007
