SOUTHWARK BRIDGE

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: CLA/019
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: SOUTHWARK BRIDGE
Date(s)	: 1527-1872
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 3.1 linear metres
Name of creator(s)	: Corporation of London

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

In May 1811 a Bill was passed for the construction of a new bridge to cross the Thames about a quarter of a mile west of London Bridge, and the Southwark Bridge Company was formed. The Company pushed ahead with the construction of Southwark Bridge despite opposition from the City of London and the Thames Conservatory Board, who did not consider it necessary. The bridge was begun in 1813 and opened at midnight on 24 March 1819, designed by Sir John Rennie. The bridge was not popular and was underused, despite the congestion on nearby London and Blackfriars Bridges.

In 1864 Bridge House Estates began leasing the bridge, and they purchased it in 1866 with the support of a Parliamentary Bill 'to facilitate the traffic of the metropolis by improving the communication across the River Thames'. They removed the toll charges which increased traffic, but poor access roads and the steep, narrow shape meant that the bridge was still underused. Bridge House Estates decided to rebuild the bridge and provide better service roads. Work began in 1913 but was delayed by the First World War. The present bridge was completed in 1921.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Southwark Bridge Company, 1527-1872, including deeds relating to freehold and leasehold property; a list of claims, offers and settlements for property acquired for building Southwark Bridge; statements by the Southwark Bridge Company in support of the intended bridge; petitions by the inhabitants of Southwark and the City of London regarding Southwark Bridge tolls.

Access & 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.

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Corporation of London Records Office.

Allied Materials

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

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
February 2009