The Transport Heritage website [visit
link] tells us:
"Albert Bridge is a road bridge
over the River Thames in West London, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to
Battersea on the south bank. Designed and built by Rowland Mason Ordish in 1873
as an Ordish-Lefeuvre Principle modified cable-stayed bridge, it proved to be
structurally unsound, and so between 1884 and 1887 Sir Joseph Bazalgette
incorporated some of the design elements of a suspension bridge.
The Greater London Council carried
out further strengthening work in 1973 by adding two concrete piers, which
transformed the central span into a simple beam bridge. As a result of these
modifications the bridge today is an unusual hybrid of three different design
styles.
Built as a toll bridge, it was
commercially unsuccessful; six years after its opening it was taken into public
ownership and the tolls were lifted. The tollbooths remained in place however,
and are the only surviving examples of bridge tollbooths in London. Nicknamed
"The Trembling Lady" because of its tendency to vibrate when large numbers of
people walked over it, signs at the entrances warn troops from the nearby
Chelsea Barracks to break step while crossing the bridge.
Incorporating a roadway only 8.2 m
(27 ft) wide, and with serious structural weaknesses, the bridge was
ill-equipped to cope with the advent of the motor vehicle during the 20th
century. Despite the many calls for its demolition or pedestrianisation Albert
Bridge has remained open to vehicles throughout its existence, other than for
brief spells during repairs, and is one of only two Thames road bridges in
central London never to have been replaced.
The strengthening work carried out
by Bazalgette and the Greater London Council was unable to prevent further
deterioration of the bridge's structure. A series of increasingly strict traffic
control measures have been introduced to limit its use and thus prolong its
life, making it the least busy Thames road bridge in London except for the
little-used Southwark Bridge. The bridge's condition is continuing to degrade
however, as the result of traffic load and severe rotting of the timber deck
structure caused by the urine of the many dogs using it as a route to nearby
Battersea Park.
In 1992 Albert Bridge was rewired
and painted in an unusual colour scheme designed to make it more conspicuous in
poor visibility, and hence avoid being damaged by collisions with shipping. At
night it is illuminated by 4,000 bulbs, making it one of West London's most
striking landmarks. It is Listed Grade II*."
The Tour UK website [visit link]
also tells us:
"Spanning the Thames from Chelsea
to Battersea, the stunning Albert Bridge is without doubt London's prettiest
bridge.
In 1983 it was repainted in
delicate ice cream colours and Albert Bridge adds great variety to the London
river scene. At night the elegant floodlit structure is beautifully
reflected in the swirling water below.
A 1864 Act of Parliament authorised
the construction of a bridge but there were long delays before it was opened to
traffic in 1873.Designed by Roland Mason Ordish, Albert Bridge was originally a
cantilever bridge, with each half of the bridge being supported by bars
radiating out from the top of its supporting towers.
The 710 ft long bridge was made up
of two side spans of 155 ft and a centre of 400 ft. The roadway was 41 ft
in width. Built in a grand Victorian manner, the bridge was finished
with lanterns and topped by ornate pagodas giving it a vaguely oriental
appearance.
The Albert Bridge Company were also
made responsible for up-keep of Battersea Bridge but the company could not
afford to maintain either with the revenue raised by toll charges. In 1878
both bridges were purchased by the Metropolitan Board of Works and in 1879
became toll-free.
In 1884 Sir Joseph Bazalgette
strengthened and modernised Albert Bridge and his modifications made the
structure more like a conventional suspension bridge. At the same time a 5
ton weight limit was imposed on vehicles. For the following 60 years the
bridge was well maintained.
After World War II the Victorian
bridge was too weak to bear the increased weight of modern traffic. When
the LCC announced that they intended to demolish Albert Bridge there was a huge
outcry from the Chelsea conservationists, led by Sir John Betjeman.
Fortunately the conservationists overcame the town planners and Albert Bridge
was saved. As a result Albert Bridge is the only bridge in central London
never to have been replaced.
In 1973 the bridge was reopened to
light traffic after two concrete piers were constructed under the main span to
give the bridge added support. In addition, a new lighter deck was laid
and the weight limit reduced to 2 tons.
At each end of the bridge is a
notice instructing the soldiers of nearby Chelsea Barracks to break step when
marching over the bridge. It is thought that the vibrations caused by
marching in step would damage the delicate structure."
As mentioned, the Bridge is Grade II*
listed and the entry, at the English Heritage website [visit
link], tells us:
"1873. Supported by 2 turreted
arches made of cast iron from which chains of flat wrought iron has radiate.
This is a cable stayed bridge, partly suspended and partly cantilevered. The
centre of the span is supported by a modern steel pier erected circa 1972. An
extremely delicate, attractive and original
structure."