| Millennium Bridge (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Millennium Bridge
Photographer Description of Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge is one of my favorite bridges in London, along with Tower Bridge. This is not only for the quirky history as the Wobbly Bridge. The Millennium Bridge is an elegant crossing of the Thames, which still has some surprises. I have once noticed that in a fine drizzle a static electric effect built up on the bridge which resulted in fine hair gradually standing on end as people crossed over. The nature of the decking also generates a low hum when buggies are being pushed over.Millennium Bridge - Further Information
Panorama from the middle of the Millennium Bridge across the River Thames in London. This panoramic photograph shows the view along the River Thames from the bridge. On the south bank is the Tate Modern, a converted power station famous for the temporary displays installed in the vast Turbine Hall. On the north bank of the river stands St. Paul's Cathedral, the dome of which is prominent on the London skyline. Both the Tate Modern and St. Paul's Cathedral are very popular London tourist attractions.The next bridge upriver from the Millennium Bridge is Blackfirars Bridge, seen to the right of the Tate Modern in this picture. In the other direction is Southwark Bridge, behind which you can see the two towers of Tower Bridge. London Bridge, which lies between Southwark Bridge and Tower Bridge, is hidden from view. To the left of the Tate Modern is Bankside Pier, part of the London river ferry network. There are direct boats from here to the Tate Britain near to Vauxhall Bridge as well as to Westminster Pier and other stops along the river. It is possible to walk along the South Bank from Tower Bridge to Westminster. Millennium Bridge is almost half way along the walk. Just a little further towards Westminster from here are the theatres and halls of the South Bank by Waterloo Bridge, including the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
The Millennium Bridge was the first new bridge to be built across the Thames in London since the construction of Tower Bridge in 1894. The new footbridge opened by the Queen in 2000. 90,000 people crossed the bridge on the first day, generating a noticeable sway which, while well within safety limits, caused the bridge to be closed for alterations as some found the movement alarming. The bridge was promptly nicknamed the Wobbly Bridge and remained closed for 8 months while dampeners were installed below the decks of the bridge and between the piers. Fortunately this solution has not affected the overall design and look of Millennium Bridge which forms an elegant span over the Thames.
For those interested in architecture and engineering facts, the Millennium Bridge is 320m long structure, designed by Sir Norman Foster with sculptor Sir Anthony Caro and the engineers Arup. The concept was to create a 'Ribbon of Steel' or 'Shaft of Light' across the Thames. It is a very shallow suspension bridge with all the cables running underneath the structure, allowing the profile to remain small. You can stand under the Millennium Bridge on the north side and hear the impact of the footfalls being transmitted through the cables. The deck is about 4m wide and supported by 8 cables and is about 11m above the river at high tide. Millennium Bridge cost £18m to build and a further £5m to alter making the total project some £7m over budget. Millennium Bridge is 'Y' shaped, the single entrance to the Bridge from St. Pauls' branches out to two platforms near to the Tate Modern.