London still has a lot of ancient buildings and monuments which have survived the modernisation of the city. By ancient I mean more than a few hundred years old. However, there are a number of such landmarks that are indeed much older. These include Westminster Abbey, part of the Palace of Westminster and of course, the Tower of London. And close by, looking very much as if it was built at the same time as the Tower of London, is Tower Bridge.
It looks ornate and fitting in with the Tower of London as it crosses the river Thames slightly downstream of the Pool of London. But everything is not exactly what they seem. Although it looks very old, Tower Bridge is relatively young. Where some of the other buildings are close to 1,000 years old, Tower bridge was opened on the 30th June 1894. The design was put out to competition with a panel of judges to decide which one would be built. One of those judges was a man by the name of Sir Horace Jones. So, it was an amazing coincidence that he also ended up winning the competition. Well done him.
Some people believe that it is the real London Bridge. But it is not. London Bridge was the original crossing of the Thames from Roman times but of course it has been replaced many times over the centuries. The current one is quite bland but does the job. If you judge them both, then Tower Bridge easily wins on the presentation. However, when it was first opened, many said that it looked too flamboyant for the time.
Tower Bridge is interesting as it consists of two types of bridge. The outer part on either side of the two towers which are 213 feet high, consists of a suspension design. However, the part in the middle between the two towers is called a bascule. This means that the centre part of the bridge can be raised in order for boats and ships to pass underneath it. The mechanism opens in the centre so that the two halves pivot up.
In order to prevent accidents, barriers are lowered to stop traffic and pedestrians from Passing until the ship has passed. However, this has not always worked the way it should. On one particular occasion in December 1952 there was a problem in communication and somehow a double decker London bus headed up one of the tilting halves. It is said that the driver did not stop but “jumped” his bus across a three feet gap which was still widening.
There have also been reports that once or twice, aircraft have flown between the roadway ad the upper walkway. These were some time ago. As an addition, my first flight as a student pilot involved me flying to and over Tower Bridge. This was back in the 1980s. You are not allowed to do it now unless you have a multi engine aircraft, be suitably qualified and have permission. Helicopters are allowed to follow the Thames into central London.
Today, Tower Bridge is open to the public. You can see the operating mechanisms, climb to the top of one of the towers and then walk across to the other. You will be 143 feet above the water and just one other thing. You will be walking on a glass floor!
John Pullen 