Chiswick Bridge

Chiswick Bridge was built in 1933. Before that a ferry, which had existed since at least the 17th century, was the only direct link between the modest villages of Mortlake and Chiswick.

After the First World War, the population of London and its suburbs grew radidly resulting in heavy road congestion. In 1927, the Royal Commission on Cross-River Traffic approved a scheme to relieve the congestion on the then existing bridges at Richmond, Kew and Hammersmith. The Act for a new road (now the A316) was given Royal Assent on 3rd August 1928, and construction began in 1930. This new road required new bridges at Chiswick, Twickenham, and the rebuilding of the existing Hampton Court bridge. All three bridges were opened by Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) on 3rd July 1933.

Chiswick Bridge was designed by the engineer Alfred Dryland and architect Sir Herbert Baker. The bridge was built by the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company of Darlington at a cost of £208,284.

The bridge had concrete foundations supporting a five-arch reinforced concrete superstructure. It was faced with 3,400 tons of Portland stone, except for underneath the arches. At 185m long the bridge has a 12m wide road and two walkways. At the time it was built, the 46m central span was the longest concrete span over the Thames. Three of Chiswick Bridge's five spans cross the river; the shorter spans at each end cross the former towpaths.

There are eight viewing balconies (four upstream and four downstream), located on the four main piers, which are surrounded with bottle baluster parapets. These features add to the picturesque quality of the bridge and also encourage pedestrians to stop and take in the views of the river, Mortlake's Thames Bank, as well as allowing excellent views of the annual Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. The architect had stated that he had 'given much thought to the scheme' and that his main objective had 'been to produce something English in character' – a bridge of extreme simplicity with few embellishments.

Chiswick Bridge became a Grade II listed bridge in 2002. It was restored in 2014-15 – the first restoration since the bridge had been constructed 80 years earlier. The work included strengthening the parapets; the restoration and improved access of steps from the riverside; the installation of a cycle lane; new energy efficient heritage lighting; waterproofing; concrete and masonry repairs and surfacing. These sympathetic repairs were designed to have only a limited impact on the heritage value of the bridge so that it maintained its classic 1930s look.

The drawing on the left, which was made in 1933 by Frank Cecil Gill, is entitled the New Bridge at Mortlake to be known as Chiswick Bridge. It raises the question as to why the bridge was not named after the place which is so geographically close to the bridge. A question I have been unable to answer!