Sausvork Bridge connecting District Sausvork and the City, stands on the site of its predecessor, which had its own history of glory and failure.

The old bridge, built in 1819 by the famous engineer John Rennie, Sr., immediately became the object of universal admiration. His contemporaries said that he was charming, dreamlike, graceful, and now, after its opening, France may continue to boast only in the number of its axles, but not their value, brilliance and high cost.

Bridge, who immediately began to call "iron" (as opposed to the "Stone" - London), was truly innovative. Its central arch length of 73 meters was considered at the time the longest iron arch in the world. In total, the construction took more than 5000 tonnes of metal. Outside the view of the bridge was a typically British - simple and strict. No wonder wrote that it merged with the modest pride of ancient elegance and power.

Enthusiasm quickly subsided when it became clear that travel on the ferry fee. Free standing bridges Near Blackfriars and London, and people naturally prefer them. In addition, the entrances to the bridge were too steep for horses with carts. Costs for the construction of facilities did not pay off. General construction company began to experience financial difficulties even before the completion of the work (although a lot of money spent on the spectacular lighting of the bridge at the time of the grand opening at midnight). John Rennie even had to sue for his fee.

The new bridge to replace the unsuccessful began to build in 1913, but World War I stopped working, and the crossing was opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1921 only. The new bridge designed by Sir Ernest George - pyatiarochny, with four turrets interesting. It was assumed that in their niches stand the statue, but the niche left empty. But there are stone benches for tired walkers.

Lanterns in the form of a cross, mounted on the balustrades, also did not correspond to the original plan. First they were three lamps, but thirty of these lamps (they are standing every 20 meters) dazzled passing ships on the Thames. Therefore, in 1956, the "extra" lamp removed.

In 2011, the bridge updated: arches, balustrades and lights again painted in original colors - green and yellow. It's not too combined with stone turrets, yet such coloring appears more severe than in some other London Bridge.