View report page

117
CANTERBURY ROAD BRIDGE.
For some time past the rapid increase of houses in the
vicinity of Canterbury Road, Old Kent Road, not only in
this Parish, but in the neighbouring ones of Deptford,
Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe, rendered it necessary that the
present old swing bridge, erected when the canal was made,
should be replaced by one more convenient and suitable to
the great increase of traffic. The Vestry therefore empowered
the General Purposes Committee to put themselves in communication
with the Greenwich District Board respecting
the advisability of taking measures to obtain a substantial
bridge over the canal at the foot of Canterbury Road.
The Committee also put themselves in communication with
all the parties in this Parish affected by the formation of
the bridge and the approaches, and, after considerable
difficulties and much correspondence, were enabled to
report to the Vestry, that sufficient contributions had been
promised to warrant the Vestry applying to the Metropolitan
Board of Works for one-half the cost of this much-needed
improvement. The Vestry, in conjunction with the Greenwich
District Board, also employed the late Mr. Dredge,
C. E., who had been the Engineer of St. George's and other
bridges which were erected in this Parish, to furnish designs
and plans for the construction of the bridge, with an
estimate of the probable cost. The Vestry themselves
promised a contribution not exceeding £1,000, and the
Greenwich Board will probably contribute a similar amount.
The Metropolitan Board, on the active representations of the
Vestry's representatives at the Board, have agreed to pay onehalf
the expense, and to obtain the necessary Parliamentary
powers. The plans and estimates of Mr. Dredge have been
deposited with the Metropolitan Board, and there is every
K