In 1209 the merchants of Kingston on Thames went back to King John for a charter empowering them to build a bridge. He had granted the town its first Charter of Liberties in 1199. This was the first bridge above London bridge and remained so until the opening of Putney bridge in 1729. The building of bridges for these 500 years was obstructed by an alliance of the powers of the City of London, the Company of Watermen and the ferry owners. It was maintained with difficulty until 1828. It was 378 ft over the water and had 120 ft abutments at each end. There were considerable problems because of the narrow width of the carriageway. At one time, carters were fined 6d. if they met on the bridge. That must have needed some effort to avoid in the 200+ yards of its length. It was replaced by the present bridge which was opened 200 ft downstream in 1828.

O/S Co-ords:1771.6943
Source(s):

Thames Crossings. Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries

Edward Lapidge designed the stone bridge which replaced the timber bridge that had been maintained with difficulty since early in the 13th century. He was the son of Samuel Lapidge who had been employed by Launcelot 'Capability' Brown when Brown was Surveyor of His Majesty's Gardens and Waters at Hampton Court. It may be that this connection was a factor in Lapidge's selection as the designer and it may also be that Brown had some input to the design of the bridge.

O/S Co-ords:1771.6936
Source(s):

Thames Crossings. Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries