It’s been 51 years since the London Bridge we know today opened to the public
Sad news for bridge fans – London’s most iconic bridge may not be around for as long as you think.
It’s been 51 years since the London Bridge we know today opened to the public.
Even though people constantly confuse it with its neighboring Tower Bridge, this structure helped make the city the powerhouse it is today.
But like all good things, the crossing has an expiration date, which keeps the maintenance team on edge.
“I never let my daughter sing ‘London Bridge is Falling’ when she was a little kid. This song has been banned,” Tom Creed, an engineer for the City Bridge Foundation group, told Metro.
Tomek makes sure that the memorable rhyme never comes true.
Engineers changed it beyond recognition before the bridge was built hundreds of years ago to help keep it moving – but how much longer will we enjoy this magnificent beauty?
How many times has the bridge been rebuilt?
Although London Bridge has never collapsed, it has been rebuilt over and over again – four times to be exact.
The original structure dates back to 43 AD and consisted of pieces of wood.
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After constant destruction by fires and storms, the last wooden one was built in 1163.
About 100 years later, Henry II commissioned the construction of the first stone structure. However, this has been removed again so that it can be expanded.
In 1831, a stronger stone masonry structure was built and lasted for 140 years before the London Bridge we know was completed in 1973.
Without it, the capital of Great Britain would not be what it is today.
Tom said: “The bridge defined London and connected the city to the rest of the country. It’s hard to imagine how the place could evolve without him.
How has the bridge changed?
From 1973 it was necessary to adapt to the times.
“It has fewer arches and is made of concrete, which often means the bridge has a brutalist treatment, but from an engineering point of view it is fantastic,” Tom said.
“It doesn’t clog the river like the old structures did, but we did make some aesthetic changes.”
In 2016, a new staircase with LED lighting was built, and in 2019, illuminations were installed across the bridge.
Most recently in 2020, the bearings were replaced and sealed to keep them in excellent condition.
What happened on the bridge?
The bridge has seen terrorist attacks, boat crashes and even featured in hit movies.
In 1984, the British warship HMS Jupiter collided with it, causing significant damage to both.
It often appears in films set in London, including a shot of Hugh Grant running across it in the 2002 film About A Boy.
In 2017, a delivery truck killed three pedestrians in a terrorist attack, prompting the installation of protective barriers along the sidewalk.
How long is the bridge supposed to last?
All bridges in London are designed and constructed to last 120 years.
Unfortunately, this means we are almost halfway to meeting the life expectancy of London Bridge.
But for those who feel a sense of despair, all is not lost.
Tom said: “We are working to protect and maintain the bridge for as long as possible as it is now a cultural asset and that comes with a lot of responsibility.
“Now we wonder what the future holds for bridges in London.
“We are trying to put more emphasis on greener methods of transportation, such as walking and cycling.”
Contact our news team by emailing webnews@metro.co.uk.
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