Sir Edwin Lutyens was asked by the London County Council
to make a report upon the possibility of widening Waterloo Bridge, and, if he could, to make designs for carrying overhanging footways on corbels. His report was published in the papers of Monday. After examining several schemes, Sir Edwin finds none really satisfactory. He then discusses the practical and aesthetic virtues or vices of alteration to Rennie's bridge, and of suspension bridges for foot or wheeled traffic running above or by the side, and reaches the conclusion that repairs must amount to rebuilding, but that the bridge could be widened if it were also heightened in proportion. It is fair to remind us that Rennie's wonderful design and conforma- tion with Somerset House were conceived before the Embankment was thought of. On the whole our opinion is confirmed that it is of little use to " tinker " at the business. To preserve the bridge is worth a great effort, but it will entail the vast expense of relieving the traffic by a new Hinigerford Bridge or one connecting elsewhere the North and South Banks.
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