Waterloo Bridge

Waterloo Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge.

History

The first bridge on the site was designed by John Rennie and opened in 1817 as a toll bridge. Before its opening it was known as 'Strand Bridge'. It was nationalised in 1878 and given to the Metropolitan Board of Works, who removed the toll from it. Serious problems were found in its construction and the new owners reinforced it. Paintings of the bridge were created by the French Impressionist Claude Monet.

Related Topics:
John Rennie - 1817 - Toll bridge - Strand - 1878 - Metropolitan Board of Works - Impressionist - Claude Monet

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By the 1920s the problems had increased. London County Council decided to demolish it and replace it with a new structure designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The new span was partially opened in 1942 and completed in 1945. It was the only Thames bridge to have been damaged by German bombers during World War II. The building contractor was Peter Lind & Company Limited. The work force was largely female.

Related Topics:
1920s - London County Council - Giles Gilbert Scott - 1942 - 1945 - German - World War II

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The south end of the bridge is the area known as The South Bank and includes the Royal Festival Hall, Waterloo station, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Royal National Theatre. The north end passes above the Victoria Embankment where the road joins the Strand and Aldwych alongside Somerset House.

Related Topics:
The South Bank - Royal Festival Hall - Waterloo station - Queen Elizabeth Hall - Royal National Theatre - Victoria Embankment - Strand - Aldwych - Somerset House

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