Vauxhall Bridge

Vauxhall Bridge is a Grade II* listed steel and granite bridge in central London that crosses the River Thames, connecting Vauxhall on the south bank to Pimlico on the north. The bridge opened in 1906, replacing an earlier structure built between 1809 and 1816. The earlier bridge, Regent Bridge, was the first iron bridge over the Thames and was built as part of a scheme to redevelop the south bank. It operated as a toll bridge until it was taken into public ownership in 1879. The second Vauxhall Bridge was also a challenging project, taking eight years to complete, and it was the first in London to carry trams. Later, it became one of the first roads in the city with a bus lane.

The land around Vauxhall was initially marshland, sparsely populated until the late 19th century. In the 13th century, Anglo-Norman mercenary Falkes de Breauté built a manor house, giving the area its name. Despite some developments like Vauxhall Gardens, which opened around 1661, the land remained undeveloped primarily for a long time. By 1806, plans for a new road and bridge to open the south bank for further development began to take shape.

The Vauxhall Bridge Act of 1809 set the stage for construction, allowing the Vauxhall Bridge Company to raise funds. Ralph Dodd initially proposed a bridge with 13 arches, but his design was abandoned after disagreements with the company. John Rennie was then commissioned to build a seven-arch stone bridge, but financial issues forced the company to opt for a cheaper iron bridge, and Samuel Bentham's nine-arch design was chosen. However, engineer James Walker was appointed after concerns over the piers' construction, who ultimately designed the first iron bridge to cross the Thames. The original bridge, with nine cast-iron arches and stone piers, opened in 1816.

Initially named Regent Bridge, it was soon renamed Vauxhall Bridge. The surrounding area did not develop as expected, and working-class housing, rather than wealthier residences, grew near the bridge. In the mid-19th century, the opening of the nearby Nine Elms station and, later, Vauxhall Gardens' success contributed to increased bridge traffic. Visitors gathered on the bridge to watch events, including hot air balloon launches and a famous 1844 stunt where a clown sailed down the Thames in a washtub towed by geese.

In 1877, the Metropolis Toll Bridges Act enabled the purchase of the bridge by the Metropolitan Board of Works, freeing it from tolls. Inspections found that two central piers were severely eroded, prompting repairs. Though profitable due to growing traffic, the bridge was in poor condition, leading to the London County Council's (LCC) decision to replace it in 1895. Plans for a concrete bridge faced challenges when it was discovered that the riverbed clay could not support the weight. Ultimately, a steel bridge was built on granite piers.

Work on the new Vauxhall Bridge began in 1898, but problems, including architectural critiques and the need to reroute the River Effra, delayed construction. The new bridge, a steel structure with five spans, was finally completed in 1906, five years behind schedule. Architects criticized the bridge's functional design, and to address these concerns, monumental bronze statues were added above the piers in 1907. Sculptors Alfred Drury and Frederick Pomeroy contributed four statues each, representing Agriculture, Architecture, Engineering, Pottery, Science, Fine Arts, Local Government, and Education.

The new bridge became a vital transport artery, carrying horse-drawn and later electric trams until tram services ended in 1951. In 1968, Vauxhall Bridge was among the first in London to have bus lanes alongside Park Lane. During World War II, a temporary bridge, Millbank Bridge, was constructed alongside Vauxhall Bridge to safeguard against potential bomb damage, but Vauxhall Bridge survived the war intact. Millbank Bridge was dismantled in 1948, with its steel girders sent to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) for use on a bridge over the Zambezi.

In 1963, plans were made to replace the bridge with a modern Crystal Span structure. It included seven stories of shops, offices, leisure facilities, and a luxury hotel encased in a glass shell. Despite public interest, the project's estimated £7 million cost led to its abandonment.

In 1993, an ancient wooden structure, believed to date from 1550–300 BC, was discovered near the bridge. Thought to have been part of a bridge or walkway leading to an island in the river, the structure may have been used for ritual or burial purposes.

The Vauxhall Bridge area saw significant redevelopment in the late 20th century. In 1995, the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) opened its headquarters near the southern end of the bridge, and the area was further modernized in 2004 by creating a major transport interchange, connecting National Rail, the London Underground, and a bus station.

The only significant structural change to the bridge came in 1973 when the Greater London Council (GLC) reduced the width of the pavements to add an extra traffic lane. In 2015, this additional lane was removed in favour of a protected two-way cycle lane, part of London's Cycle Superhighway 5. In 2008, Vauxhall Bridge was declared a Grade II* listed structure, preserving its historical character.