List of crossings of the River Thames

If taking cuts – excavated channels – to be measurements of river, its 185-mile (298 km) course west of Tilbury has 27 tunnels, six public ferries, one cable car link, and one ford.

However the many permanent crossings that have been built over the centuries have changed the dynamics and made cross-river development and shared responsibilities more practicable.

The number of county councils has fallen (and some others have dwindled in area) in England in favour of increased localisation.

Proposals to build bridges for Lambeth/Westminster and Putney/Fulham in around 1670 were defeated by the Rulers of the Company of Watermen, since it would cut the trade of the then 60,000 rivermen plying ferry services and who were noted as a pool of naval reserves.

[2] During the 18th century, many stone and brick instances were built – from new or to replace existing structures – in London and further up the river.

The development of the railways resulted in a spate of bridge building in the 19th century, including Blackfriars and Charing Cross (Hungerford) Railway Bridges in central London, and the simple but majestic three, of grand arch design, by Isambard Kingdom Brunel at Maidenhead, Gatehampton and Moulsford.

These include Temple, Bloomers Hole, the Hungerford Footbridges and the Millennium Bridge in distinct, aesthetic but durable, forms.

Also operating are boat services, ranging from year-round in London to seven or fewer months (including the summer) serving upper stretches.

Whilst their main purpose is not to carry people across the river, several bring about one or more crossings but usually not to points facing each other.