FINE ARTS.
WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.
Tax removal of the balustrading and alcoves from the centre of West- minster Bridge has attracted public notice, and given rise to reports of the insecurity of the superstructure: it is said to have sunk at this part, which is just over the piers that are now being rebuilt. Upon inquiry,
we were assured that this statement is exaggerated ; but what is the precise danger that has rendered necessary this precautionary mea- sure of lightening the superiucumbent weight, we could not learn : something unusual must have been observed, for the balustrading was not removed during the rebuilding of the other piers. The ul- timate removal of the whole of the balustrades and alcoves will be necessary to complete the reparations now in progress: these include the widening of the roadway and the lowering of the ascent of the bridge. The piers on the side next the Houses of Parliament have been extended twelve feet to admit of a corresponding projection of the abutments ; and a light parapet, breast-high, will, we believe, be sub- stituted for the ponderous and unsightly balustradiug and alcoves. But before any thing is done in the way of remodelling the superstructure, it seems advisable that a close survey should be taken of the state of the masonry and rubble-work between the arches and the roadway ; for it might probably be found expedient, if not absolutely necessary, to reconstruct the bridge in order to insure its permanent stability. If such should be the case, this would be a favourable opportunity for carry- ing into effect Mr. Benav's suggestion of giving to the structure an architectural character in accordance with the new Houses of Parliament.
In reference to this subject we find an ingenious suggestion for econ- omizing the materials and lessening the superincumbeut weight of bridges, in an "Essay and Treatises on the Architecture of Bridges," by Professor Hossearin, of King's College; which bears particular appli- cation to the present state of Westminster Bridge. The volume is not published, a very few copies having been printed for private distribu- tion only, as it forms part of a larger work, in the press. Mr. Hos- RING'S plan is to carry a "longitudinal central groining," or arched opening, through the whole length of the series of arches. This "could be executed in a cheaper material than the piers, the outer faces, and the main structure of the bridge arches ; being less exposed to pressure and to weather than they are. The vibrations arising from heavy carriages upon the roadway would be more effectually checked than by spandrel walls : the piers might be lightened, and generally great economy in the construction effected."
Professor HORNING'S suggestion for widening the roadway of a bridge, by means of a projecting cornice, on each side, resting on corbels and supporting a light parapet, is admirable for its simplicity, economy, and apparent practicability : the effect of the projection would be pic- turesque, by reason of the shadow it wou'd cast on the outside walls. This is infinitely superior to the plan about to be adopted for widening Westminster Bridge by extending the piers and abutments twelve feet on one side ; a tedious, costly, and clumsy process, that will have a lopsided look, totally destroying any symmetry in the design of the edifice.
The remarks in this volume on the faulty construction of Westmin- ster Bridge are tco pertinent to the present occasion to be passed by-
" The arches spring at a level very little above that of low water, where the tide rises and falls from 15 to 18 feet ; so that the water-way is nearly 50 feet less at the height of ordinary spring-tides than at the level of low-water. The arches contract the way for navigation much more than it is at all necessary they should, even upon the present piers; and there is more than twice the height from the soffits of the arches to the level of the road-way than there need be; the parapets are alike offensive by their great height from the road- way and by their ugliness in detail ; and the solid buttresses over the cutvaters with their counterferts and eupoletted heads add needlessly to the weight upon the piers."
Mr. Hossrixo suggests the remodelling of the bridge upon the present piers, carrying them up to the level of high-water ; thence, flat pointed (Tudor) arches might spring, which would increase the width of water-way, preventing injury to the bridge from high tides, and enable the road-way to be so materially lowered that the ascent would be no longer an inconvenience. The appearance of the bridge from the river would be surprisingly improved ; and its architectural character be in accordance with that of the new Houses of Parliament. " The longi- tudinal central groining before proposed might be adopted wi h excellent effect; lightening the upper works, relieving the thrust of the arches, and greatly economizing the reconstruction, as the old stone would work in well for this purpose, whilst the faces and main vaults were of new."
It also forms part of his plan to substitute characteristic abutments in place of the two first of the thirteen arches and of the two small land arches ; and the increased space thus obtained at the approaches would allow the accesses to the bridge from the low ground on either side to be greatly improved, and the ascent eased by dividing them to the right and left over the abutments, and so to distribute the rise over a larger space, and afford the means of dividing the going and coming traffic."
We have before spoken of Prcfessor HORNING'S design fur a Gothicized version of the bridge ; but on turning to the volume here quoted, the scientific simplicity of the plan, and the lightness and elegance of the design, struck us most forcibly in contrast with the present lumbering and uncouth IrC'ss of masonry : the defects of the old bridge are com- pletely remedied, and from the same foundations rises a commodious, graceful, and ornamental superstructure.
Previous page
