IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): CLA/020
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: TOWER BRIDGE
Date(s): 1870-1994
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 1.2 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Corporation of London
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
In June 1883 the Coal, Corn and Finance Committee of the Corporation of London decided that the construction of some new means of communication across the Thames below London Bridge was essential, since the population of London east of London Bridge had expanded to 39% of the overall population of the metropolis, but they were served only by wharf-men and ferries. The Bridge House Estates Committee were asked to look into the matter and a Bill was presented to Parliament.
In March 1884 a Select Committee of House of Commons, convened to consider the matter, suggested that a low level bridge should be constructed at Little Tower Hill. The Bridge House Estates Committee began researching the best type of bridge, even visiting Europe to see different bridges in use. Eventually architect Horace Jones and engineer John Wolfe Barry were appointed to oversee construction and work began April 1886. The bridge was completed in August 1894.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Bridge House Estates Committee relating to Tower Bridge, City of London, 1870-1994. Records include memoranda, Acts of Parliament, accounts, staff records, contracts, pamphlets, photographs, reports and printed material.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: City of London.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Corporation of London Records Office.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
For Corporation of London records relating to Bridges see: CLA/007: Bridge House Estates, CLA/018: Bridges, CLA/019: Southwark Bridge, CLA/020: Tower Bridge, CLA/021: Blackfriars Bridge, CLA/022: London Bridge, COL/CC/BBB: Court of Common Council Blackfriars Bridge (Building) Committee, COL/CC/BBR: Court of Common Council Blackfriars Bridge (Repairing) Committee, COL/CC/BHC: Court of Common Council Bridge House Committee, COL/CC/BHT: Court of Common Council Bridge House Trust Committee, COL/CC/CLBH: Court of Common Council City Lands and Bridge House Estate Committee, COL/CC/JTB: Court of Common Council Joint Bridge House Estates and Improvement Committee, COL/CC/JTS: Joint Bridge House and Special Committee, COL/CC/CLA: Court of Common Council City of London (Arizona) Corporation, COL/CC/LBA: Court of Common Council London Bridge Approaches Committee, COL/CC/LBC: Court of Common Council London Bridge Committee, COL/CC/LBI: London Bridge Improvements Committee, COL/CC/SBC: Court of Common Council Special Bridge or Subway Committee, COL/CCS/PL: Comptroller and City Solicitor: Plans, COL/PL: Plans, COL/PLD/PL: Planning Department Plans, COL/SVD/PL: Surveyor's Department Plans, COL/TSD/PL: Technical Services Department Plans, COL/CHD/CM: Chamberlain's Department: Chamber Accounts.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009