Blackfriars Railway Bridge
Encyclopedia
Blackfriars Railway Bridge is a railway bridge crossing the River Thames
in London
, between Blackfriars Bridge
and the Millennium Bridge.
There have been two structures with the name. The first bridge was opened in 1864 and was designed by Joseph Cubitt
for the London, Chatham and Dover Railway
. Massive abutments at each end carried the railway's insignia, preserved and restored on the south side. Following the formation of the Southern Railway
in 1924, inter-city and continental services were concentrated on Waterloo, and St Paul's Station became a local and suburban stop. For this reason, the use of the original bridge gradually declined. It eventually became too weak to support modern trains, and was therefore removed in 1985 – all that remains is a series of columns crossing the Thames and the southern abutment, which is a Grade II listed structure.
The second bridge, built slightly further downstream (to the east), was originally called St Paul's Railway Bridge and opened in 1886. It was designed by John Wolfe-Barry
and Henry Marc Brunel and is made of wrought iron. It was built by Lucas & Aird
. When St Paul's railway station changed its name to Blackfriars
in 1937 the bridge changed its name as well.
At the southern end of the bridge was Blackfriars Bridge railway station
which opened in 1864 before closing to passengers in 1885 following the opening of what is today the main Blackfriars station
. Blackfriars Bridge railway station
continued as a goods stop until 1964 when it was completely demolished, and much of it redeveloped into offices.
As part of the Thameslink Programme
, the platforms at Blackfriars station
will be extended across the Thames and partially supported by the 1864 bridge piers. The project is being designed by Jacobs and Tony Gee & Partners and built by Balfour Beatty. Work on the bridge also includes the installation of a roof covered with photovoltiac solar panels. When completed it will be the largest of only two solar bridges in the world (the other being Kurilpa Bridge in Australia). Other green improvements include sun pipes and systems to collect rain water
.
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, between Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames in London, between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge, carrying the A201 road. The north end is near the Inns of Court and Temple Church, along with Blackfriars station...
and the Millennium Bridge.
There have been two structures with the name. The first bridge was opened in 1864 and was designed by Joseph Cubitt
Joseph Cubitt
Joseph Cubitt was an English civil engineer. Amongst other projects, he designed the Blackfriars Railway Bridge over the River Thames in London. He was appointed engineer to the Oswestry & Newtown Railway on 3 October 1856. -References:...
for the London, Chatham and Dover Railway
London, Chatham and Dover Railway
The London, Chatham and Dover Railway was a railway company in south-eastern England from 1859 until the 1923 grouping which united it with other companies to form the Southern Railway. Its lines ran through London and northern and eastern Kent to form a significant part of the Greater London...
. Massive abutments at each end carried the railway's insignia, preserved and restored on the south side. Following the formation of the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
in 1924, inter-city and continental services were concentrated on Waterloo, and St Paul's Station became a local and suburban stop. For this reason, the use of the original bridge gradually declined. It eventually became too weak to support modern trains, and was therefore removed in 1985 – all that remains is a series of columns crossing the Thames and the southern abutment, which is a Grade II listed structure.
The second bridge, built slightly further downstream (to the east), was originally called St Paul's Railway Bridge and opened in 1886. It was designed by John Wolfe-Barry
John Wolfe-Barry
Sir John Wolfe-Barry was an English civil engineer of the late 19th and early 20th century. His most famous project was the construction of Tower Bridge over the River Thames in London.-Early career:...
and Henry Marc Brunel and is made of wrought iron. It was built by Lucas & Aird
John Aird & Co.
John Aird & Co. was once a leading British civil engineering business based in London.-Early history:The company was founded in 1848 by John Aird with the objective of laying mains for gas and water companies in London....
. When St Paul's railway station changed its name to Blackfriars
Blackfriars station
Blackfriars station, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the City of London, England. Its platforms will eventually span the River Thames a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. The current entrance is located on the...
in 1937 the bridge changed its name as well.
At the southern end of the bridge was Blackfriars Bridge railway station
Blackfriars Bridge railway station
Blackfriars Bridge railway station was a railway station on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway . It was constructed in 1864 and, for six months, was the northern terminus for a line from via . It was part of a scheme by the company to extend into the City of London...
which opened in 1864 before closing to passengers in 1885 following the opening of what is today the main Blackfriars station
Blackfriars station
Blackfriars station, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the City of London, England. Its platforms will eventually span the River Thames a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. The current entrance is located on the...
. Blackfriars Bridge railway station
Blackfriars Bridge railway station
Blackfriars Bridge railway station was a railway station on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway . It was constructed in 1864 and, for six months, was the northern terminus for a line from via . It was part of a scheme by the company to extend into the City of London...
continued as a goods stop until 1964 when it was completely demolished, and much of it redeveloped into offices.
As part of the Thameslink Programme
Thameslink Programme
The Thameslink Programme, originally Thameslink 2000, is a £6 billion project in south-east England to upgrade and expand the Thameslink rail network to provide new and longer trains between a wider range of stations to the north and to the south of London without requiring passengers to change...
, the platforms at Blackfriars station
Blackfriars station
Blackfriars station, also known as London Blackfriars, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the City of London, England. Its platforms will eventually span the River Thames a short distance downstream from Blackfriars Bridge. The current entrance is located on the...
will be extended across the Thames and partially supported by the 1864 bridge piers. The project is being designed by Jacobs and Tony Gee & Partners and built by Balfour Beatty. Work on the bridge also includes the installation of a roof covered with photovoltiac solar panels. When completed it will be the largest of only two solar bridges in the world (the other being Kurilpa Bridge in Australia). Other green improvements include sun pipes and systems to collect rain water
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses and local institutions can...
.