Putney Bridge

Putney Bridge
source
Name	Putney Bridge
Caption	Putney Bridge viewed from the south bank
Carries	A219 road
Crosses	River Thames
Locale	Wandsworth, London
Maint	Transport for London
Designer	Joseph Bazalgette
Design	Arch bridge
Material	Stone
Length	700 ft (210 m)
Width	43 ft (13 m)
Begin	1882
Complete	1886
Open	29 May 1886
Cost	£240,000
Replaces	Old Putney Bridge (1729)
Heritage	Grade II listed structure

Putney Bridge is a stone arch bridge crossing the River Thames in southwest London, connecting Putney on the south bank to Fulham on the north. Opened in 1886, it replaced an earlier wooden structure and was designed by the eminent Victorian engineer Joseph Bazalgette. The bridge is notable as the starting point for the annual University Boat Race and is a key transport link, carrying the A219 road between the London Borough of Wandsworth and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

History

The need for a reliable crossing at this point on the River Thames led to the construction of the first bridge, a timber structure financed through an Act of Parliament in 1726 and opened in 1729. This original bridge, featuring many piers that obstructed river flow, was a toll bridge for much of its life, with revenues going to the Commissioners of the Putney Bridge. By the 19th century, increased traffic and the bridge's poor condition prompted calls for replacement. Following the purchase of the old bridge by the Metropolitan Board of Works, it was demolished after the new bridge's opening. The current structure has witnessed significant historical events, including being struck by a V-1 flying bomb during the Second World War, which caused considerable damage to its superstructure.

Design and construction

The present bridge was designed by Joseph Bazalgette, who is more famously associated with the creation of London's sewerage system. Constructed between 1882 and 1886 at a cost of £240,000, it is a five-span structure built from Portland stone and Cornish granite. The bridge's design features segmental arches and decorative lamp standards, embodying the robust and functional civic engineering of the late Victorian era. Its construction was overseen by Bazalgette's assistant, Thomas Grant, and the contractor was John Waddell. The bridge was officially opened by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, on 29 May 1886, and it was granted statutory protection as a Grade II listed structure in 1972.

Transport connections

Putney Bridge serves as a vital node in southwest London's transport network, carrying the A219 road and accommodating vehicular, pedestrian, and cycle traffic. It is directly served by London Buses routes, including the 14, 22, and 74, which connect the area to central destinations like Piccadilly Circus and Baker Street. The bridge's southern approach is adjacent to Putney Bridge tube station, served by the District line of the London Underground, providing a direct link to the City of London and Westminster. This integration with public transport makes it a crucial corridor for commuters traveling between Wandsworth and Hammersmith.

Notable events

The bridge is internationally famous as the starting point for the annual University Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The race has commenced just upstream of the bridge since 1845, with the stone marking the start located on the Surrey bank. In 1878, the bridge was the site of the Princess Alice disaster, a catastrophic collision between the pleasure steamer SS Princess Alice and the collier SS Bywell Castle that resulted in over 600 fatalities. During the Second World War, the bridge sustained damage from enemy action, and in 1953, it was the location where the pioneering television presenter Sylvia Peters famously inaugurated the BBC's Christmas programming.

In popular culture

Putney Bridge has featured in numerous films and television series, often serving as an iconic London backdrop. It appears in the 1965 comedy film The Knack ...and How to Get It and was used as a location in the 1971 thriller Villain starring Richard Burton. The bridge is mentioned in literature, including in John Betjeman's poetry celebrating London's topography. Its distinctive silhouette and role in the University Boat Race have cemented its status as a recognizable landmark in British visual culture, frequently appearing in media coverage of the historic sporting event and in promotional imagery for London.

Category:Bridges across the River Thames Category:Bridges in London Category:Grade II listed buildings in London Category:Transport in the London Borough of Wandsworth