The River Thames in London is famous for the many bridges that spawn over it. We've all probably heard of the nursery rhyme 🎶
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady
Today I want to take you to see, not London Bridge, but another bridge called Blackfriars Bridge.
With London being an ever evolving city, whether it's the Dickensian or Victorian or modern days, its landscape is forever changing. So is Blackfriars Bridge. Blackfriars Bridge was the third bridge built across the River Thames and opened in 1769. That was replaced by another bridge a century later in 1869 and is still standing today. The building behind the Blackfriars Bridge is St Pauls Cathedral, one of the most famous landmarks on London. Today the 150 year old Blackfriars Bridge looks a bit tired after all these years. It could probably do with a bit of sprucing up. Despite that, it still looks very grand and you can see 3 of its 5 iron arches that support the Grade II listed bridge.
In addition to the Blackfriars Bridge for vehicles and pedestrians, there's also the Blackfriars Railway Bridge. They're two different bridges. The first Blackfriars Railway Bridge opened in 1864, 5 years before the second Blackfriars Bridge (confusing, I know). And then in 1886 a second Blackfriars Railway Bridge was built next to the first one (more confusion, right?). Maybe this image will help. So starting from the right, you can see the the sides of the 1869 Blackfriars Bridge. To its left, you'll see three pairs of red pillars rising from the Thames river bed. These are the remaints of the first 1864 Blackfriars Railway Bridge. When the bridge was pulled down,they left the pillars behind, I mean they do look very grand. So grand that even they are listed now. And finally on the left is the second 1886 Blackfriars Railway Bridge. You're probably thinking this looks more like a building than a bridge?
That's because this bridge is part of the Blackfriars Railway station that was redeveloped and re opened in 2012. Another proof of how London evolves over time. This swanky modern station spans across the entire River Thames, a first in London. As you go up the escalator from the station concourse to the platform, you're immediately taken back by the massive area in front of the gates. With the entire width of the River Thames available, they can afford to have as much space as possible. In fact, I reckon this would be great place to hold a mini lunchtime concert.
Once through the gates, you're onto the railway platform. This is probably the longest railway platforms I've ever seen. These are 12 carriage trains and there is still so much length left.
Both sides of the platform have full width windows looking out to the River Thames, and here you can see the Blackfriars Bridge outside. I believe this is the only covered bridge across the River Thames, hence may feel a little squashed inside as the ceiling height isn't in proportion to the width and depth of the platform. I mean obviously, you can't build a skyscraper across the Thames as it would look so out of place and obstruct the view for the rest of the bridges.
A skyscraper it may not be, but the Blackfriars railway bridge can make its claim to be the largest solar power bridge in the world. Its ceiling is covered with 4,400 photovoltaic panels, that's around 23 tennis courts and can provide 50% of the energy the station requires. Clever, right?
Last and not the least, I'm going t leave you with these two images. As I was walking along the length of the platform, a couple of the carriage had this graffiti on it. They look rather random and I don't think they're purposed made by the railway company.... or maybe they were. I really don't know. It's the first time I've seen graffiti on train carriages in use and they look wickedly cool, just like this station and how London evolves as a city.
