Victoria Embankment

The Victoria Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and river walk along the north bank of the River Thames in London. Victoria Embankment extends from the City of Westminster into the City of London.

Contents

Construction

The Victoria Embankment's construction started in 1865. It was completed in 1870 under the direction of Joseph Bazalgette, and was a project of the Metropolitan Board of Works. The contractor for the work was Thomas Brassey.[1] The original impetus was the need to provide London with a modern sewerage system. Another major consideration was the relief of congestion on The Strand and Fleet Street.

The project involved building out on to the foreshore of the Thames, narrowing the river. The construction work required the purchase and demolition of much expensive riverside property. The cut and cover tunnel for the Metropolitan District Railway was built within the Embankment and roofed over to take the roadway. At ground level, in addition to the new roads, two handsome public gardens were laid out. One of these backs onto the government buildings of Whitehall, and the other stretches from Hungerford Bridge to Waterloo Bridge. The gardens contain many statues, including a monument to Bazalgette. The section of the gardens between Waterloo Bridge and Charing Cross railway station also includes a large bandstand, where musical performances are given, and the 1626 watergate of the former York House built for the Duke of Buckingham.

Route

The Victoria Embankment (part of the A3211) starts at Westminster Bridge, just north of the Palace of Westminster, then follows the course of the north bank, past Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, before ending at Blackfriars Bridge. Shell Mex House, the Savoy Hotel and Savoy Place are located between the Embankment and the Strand.

Transport

London Underground stations along Victoria Embankment are Westminster, Embankment, Charing Cross, Temple and Blackfriars. The former Aldwych tube station was also located nearby. London Bus routes 388 and N550 are the only bus routes along the Embankment, perhaps because of the proliferation of tube stations along the route. Victoria Embankment was also the southern end of the Kingsway Tramway Subway.

London River Services boat services operate from Westminster Millennium Pier, Embankment Pier and Blackfriars Millennium Pier at points along Victoria Embankment. Pleasure cruises operate from Savoy Pier.

Tourist attractions

Ships permanently moored by Victoria Embankment include HMS President, HMS Wellington and PS Tattershall Castle. Other attractions include the General Charles Gordon Memorial, Royal Air Force Memorial, Battle of Britain Monument, Cleopatra's Needle and the modernistic Cleopatra's Kiosk.

See also

References

  1. ^ Walker, Charles (1969). Thomas Brassey, Railway Builder. London: Frederick Muller. pp. 151. ISBN 0584103050.