1819
The sizes of the several bridges, the extent of the traffic over them, &c., constitute an interesting and a curious summary. The following is a specification of the lengths of the bridges
Feet
Waterloo Bridge, within the abutments................. 1242
Westminster Bridge, from wharf to wharf.............. 1223
Blackfriars Bridge................................................ 940
London Bridge.................................................... 900
Vauxhall cast-iron Bridge..................................... 860
Southwark cast-iron Bridge, between the abutments ........................ 708
Some idea of the extent of traffic that takes place across the bridges, may be formed from the succeeding statements:—According to an abstract of an account that was taken in July, 1811, of the foot-passengers horses, carriages, &c., it appears that there passed over Blackfriars' Bridge 61,069 foot passengers, suppose at 1d. each; waggons, 533, at 8d.; carts and drays, 1,502, at 4d.; coaches, 990, at 6d.; gigs and taxed carts, 500, at 4d.; and horses, 822, at 1 1/2d.— The whole (after deducting 40l. 10s. 3d. being half the amount of waggons, carts, drays, coaches, gigs, &c., for returns) producing a daily revenue of 294l. 18s. 6d. Though waggons, carts, and drays do not pass on Sundays, yet it is supposed that the number is more than balanced by the extra passage of coaches, gigs, horses, &c., on that day.
On the same day, in July 1811, there passed over London Bridge 89,640 foot-passengers; 1,240 coaches; 485 gigs and taxed carts ; 769 waggons; 2,924 carts and drays; and 764 horses; producing with the same estimate of charges, and with similar deductions, &c., as in Blackfriars Bridge, the sum of 432l. 12s. 3d.—. These respective sums, multiplied by the number of days in a year, make an annual revenue of 265,551l. 3s. 9d.
According to calculations made by Mr. Dodd, with the view to ascertain what might be the profits of the Strand or Waterloo Bridge, the number of persons who traversed the bridges during the day of twenty-four hours, he estimated to be, proceeding on the actual daily counting of six weeks in summer and six weeks in winter, averaged and computed for a year:—
Blackfriars' Bridge................ 48,000 persons.
Westminster Bridge.............. 32,000 persons.
But during the making of these calculations, on one fine Sunday in August, 1808, there walked along Blackfriars' Bridge, 74,427.— The first calculation was made with the view to the probable profits of the Southwark Bridge; the last, as already stated, had reference to the possible advantages of the Waterloo Bridge.
It has been said in less accurate calculations, that upwards of 125,000 persons daily use London Bridge; and that 200,000 persons every day pass the south-west corner of the Royal Exchange of London.
Source: Leigh's New Picture of London. Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand;
by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819