METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS: THE RIVER AND THE HIGHWAYS.
THE interest in the considerable improvements of which the Charing Bridge will be the great key oontinues. Among other proofs of it which have come under our own observation, we reckon the sending to us of a plan for opening the communica- tions on the Southwark side of the river. This project has been in existence for some -time, though not so long as Sir Howard Douglas's. The plan is sent to 'us by Mr. Thomas Taylor, who has had much experience in the practical working of such im- provements. It refers to the ground between Blackfriars Road and the junction of High Street and Wellington Street, London Bridge; that is, the portion of the line which would have to be made tbroug'h house property. This plan is before the Commissioners of Public Works, and the discussions upon it have helped strongly to confirm the conclusion that the curve parallel to the river is the line which presents the largest amount of immediate advantage. The arc straight across the space would appear to be the most direct, but it -would leave several of the bridges with only bye-means of communication ; and it would pass through a property less sus- ceptible of much improvement. On the other hand, the curved parallel would be practically as useful in creating a communi- cation between London Bridge and the West end of the metro- tropolis, thus relieving the thoroughfares on the North side. The line would more effectually than the other unite all the bridges ;
it would open up a valuable communication between wai clams° property on the banks of the river ; and it would at once necessi- tate and facilitate an improved style of building.
The grand objection to the Surrey side of the river is the low- ness of the land, the dampness, and the consequent insalubrity. It has not unfrequently happened that boats have been seen in Park Street pursuing the eas.ks floating from Barolay's brewery in a flooding of the river. In order to render the communications as complete as possible, it would be necessary somewhat to raise the level of the roadway ; but this must be accompanied by a better and more elevated foundation for all the buildings, pro- bably by a better banking of the river. And these, again, are improvements which would also stimulate the improvement of all the neighbouring property.
It has been calculated that the expense of the Park Street line would be 220,0001., but that there would be a return of 148,0001. in ground-rents. We believe that all estimates are in the present ease fallacious ; in part because the works which would be com- menced on that side would be more extensive than any separate projector has yet conceived, and in part because the effect of throwing open -the district in creating a totally new value for the whole of the property can scarcely be brought to any scale of es- timate. The metropolis is continually growing at its edges. Here is a space close to the Western centre of the metropolis, yet out off from it and labouring under a bad name, bemuse the natural defects of the ground have not been corrected by the manner of building. If all the improvements were carried out, this district would be placed in the closest communication with the Western centre of the metropolis ; the motive and the means would at once be supplied for correcting its local defects by a generally better style of foundation-building ; and it would most likely rise at once from a suburban to a central value.
In order to render the relief of the Northern thoroughfares as effectual as possible, it will be necessary to remove every obstruetien from the bridges. Southwark Bridge, for example, must be pro- vided with better approaches on the Surrey side, and relieved of its toll. A contrivance has been discussed for enlarging London Bridge by throwing the whole of the present space into a roadway, and providing footways for passengers outside on iron supports. Ten minutes passed in viewing London Bridge at almost any hour of daylight 'will show how little this would effect to meet the con- stant increase of traffic over that thoroughfare. The only way to prevent that bridge from being choked up by its own traffic, is to provide the traffic with other means of crossing the metropolis in other places equally accessible and equally free. If the curved parallel were carried out with proper side-approaches from dif- fent parts of Southwark, which would of course follow, there would most likely be a considerable amount of cross traffic tra- versing all the bridges in each direction. One grand principle to be strictly maintained is, to effect these different improvements in such a manner that the whole shall harmonize as each is developed ; and that no one shall shut out any which may follow it. In his plan for the improvement of the Public Offices near Downing Street, Sir Benjamin Hall has distinctly recognized this principle. It is very important for that piecemeal but rapid improvement which appears to be promised.
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