The City in Photos: Bridges

Bridges provide an important lifeline in the City of London, linking the Square Mile to the rest of Greater London. In fact, the first bridge across the Thames, London Bridge was erected during the Roman occupation sometime between the 1st and 4th centuries AD.

Starting with Tower Bridge in the East, this bridge is the most famous river crossing in London. Opened in 1885 and designed by Horace Jones with John Wolfe-Barry, its familiar bascule design marks it out as the most distinctive of London’s bridges.

London Bridge is the latest of many bridges occupying the site to be given that name with the current crossing finished in 1972 after its replacement was bought by an American and transported brick by brick to Havasu City in Arizona, USA.

The Cannon Street Railway Bridge was built in 1863-6 by John Hawkshaw and John Wolfe-Barry and was widened about twenty years later.

The current Southwark Bridge dates from 1921 and was designed by architect Sir Ernest Hay.

The Millennium Bridge, the footbridge that connects St Pauls to the Tate Modern on the South Bank, was completed in 2000. Designed by engineers Arup, Foster and Partners with Anthony Caro, when it opened, it got the unfortunate nickname of the Wobbly Bridge because it swayed on the first two days of its use. This was corrected and it reopened in 2002.

Blackfriars Bridge dates from 1869 and was designed by Thomas Cubitt. The ghost of an older bridge can be seen with its columns in the water to the East of the bridge.

Pedestrian walkways also play their part in the City of London with many crisscrossing Upper and Lower Thames Street, the road that runs from Blackfriars Bridge to Tower Bridge and back, and Bishopsgate, the major thoroughfare near Liverpool Street.

800 Saxophonists Do Their Thing in the City

As part of the City of London Festival, 800 Saxophonists took to the streets on Sunday to create the Leviathan - a work of living, monumental art. Snake line processions started at the City’s four historic gates - Bishopsgate, Ludgate, Aldgate and Moorgate - before arriving together at London Bridge where they performed a new piece of music composed by music  composed by John Harle.

The Leviathan was caught on camera by the excellent London SE1 website.

Pawnbroker Opens in City of London

Since banker bashing is in vogue, the media seems to be delighting in the news that a pawnbrokers has opened up in the Square Mile - apparently the first one in over a hundred years - conjuring up images of crest fallen bankers having to trade in their valuables.

Nikolas Michael Pawnbrokers and Jewellers can be found on the first floor at 176 Bishopsgate, and according to the Guardian, it is “Rolex watches and diamond necklaces that are the currency of the loans it provides as, with bonuses long gone, City workers seek out alternative ways to make ends meet.”.

Zavvi Bishopsgate To Close

Zavvi - the music, DVD and games retailer - is set to close its Bishopsgate branch. The troubled store went into administration late last year, and has already closed and sold some branches.

Administrators for the company have now announced that all remaining Zavvi stores will disappear from the high street, with most closing and some others being sold off. The Bishopsgate branch will be closing down, putting 12 permanent employees out of work.

City Thief Sentenced

A thief who targetted the City of London has been given an 18 month suspended sentence by Southwark Crown Court.

The 37 year old man from Hackney targetted people in Bishopsgate, Old Broad Street and Broadgate and would purport to show them bargain items for sale in a carrier bag, but the bag itself was the cover he used to swipe wallets and mobile phones.

He was also issued with an 18 month supervision order and required to visit drug rehabilitation programme for 12 months.

Related Link: City of London Police

Daily Photo 03/12/08: Bishopsgate