Bascul Bridge and Limehouse

A bascule bridge, also known as a drawbridge or lifting bridge, is a type of movable bridge that uses a counterweight to balance its span as it swings open to let boats pass. The design can have one or two leaves, depending on the size and need for clearance.

The word “bascule” comes from the French word for balance scale, which works on the same principle. Bascule bridges are popular because they open quickly, use relatively little energy, and offer unlimited vertical clearance for ships. This makes them one of the most efficient types of movable bridges around.

Shadwell Basin, located in Wapping, London, is a housing and leisure area built around a historic dock. Once part of the London Docks, which the London Dock Company established, Shadwell Basin is one of the few remaining open bodies of water from this era. It sits between the Tower of London and Limehouse along the Thames.

Unlike other docks that were filled in, Shadwell Basin was preserved and transformed into a 2.8-hectare space for recreation, offering activities like sailing, canoeing, and fishing. Surrounding the basin is a striking housing development designed by architects MacCormac, Jamieson, Prichard, and Wright, built between 1986 and 1988. The four- and five-story buildings, with their arches and colonnades, evoke the scale and style of 19th-century dockside warehouses, and Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock inspired the design. In 2018, these buildings were designated Grade II listed, recognising their postmodern significance.

The basin features landmarks like Riverside Mansions, the Monza Building, and the former Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. St. Paul’s Church, with its dramatic spire, provides a scenic backdrop on the north side, while an outdoor gym and quayside walkways make the area a popular spot for joggers, cyclists, and pedestrians. A Scherzer bascule bridge, originally built in the 1930s, was restored during the 1980s redevelopment, adding another historic touch to the basin.

Shadwell Basin was once part of the larger London Docks, which expanded in the 1830s. However, as ships grew larger, the small entrances of the docks, including Shadwell’s, became inadequate. By the early 20th century, the London Docks were outdated and closed in 1969. After falling into disrepair, the basin and its surroundings were revitalised by the London Docklands Development Corporation in 1987, leading to the creation of 169 homes around the historic dock.