London Bridge – Greenwich Railway Viaduct

[4] The intention had been for the line to descend to ground level after crossing the Grand Surrey Canal but this was opposed by Parliament, and so it remained elevated as far as Deptford Creek on the River Ravensbourne, where there was a bascule bridge.

The contractor was Hugh McIntosh, who used sixty million bricks to construct the viaduct, with 400 navvies using more than 100,000 per day, creating a shortage for other building activities in London.

As originally constructed the viaduct included a 'pedestrian boulevard' where users could walk for a penny toll, but this was quickly replaced by an additional running line.

[9] A 'policeman' was stationed at the junction to control the movements of the trains, who was soon situated on a wooden tower on the viaduct to give him better visibility.

[8] This provided two further tracks, which together with the southern viaduct were later leased by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, the successor to both the L&CR and the L&BR.

The London and Greenwich Railway directors originally envisaged using the arches for low cost housing, but were soon dissuaded of the plan.