London bridges across the river Thames: 15 Albert bridge

 

 

 

Albert bridge was designed and built by Rowland Mason Ordish in 1873 as an Ordish–Lefeuvre system 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, yet it is a grade II* listed building.

built as a toll bridge, it was commercially unsuccessful and 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. the bridge was nicknamed "the trembling lady" because of its tendency to vibrate when large numbers of people walked over it, the bridge has signs at its entrances that warned troops from the nearby former Chelsea barracks to break step whilst crossing the bridge.

 incorporating a roadway only 8.2 m 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 many calls for its demolition or pedestrianisation, the Albert bridge has remained open to vehicles throughout its existence, other than for brief spells during repairs. the strengthening work carried out by Bazalgette and the GLC was unable to prevent further deterioration of the bridge's structure. and the bridge's condition is continuing to degrade 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!