Visit Millennium Bridge still occupies a special place in London.
Today, let's discover this London landmark.
Millenium Bridge: article summary
Millenium Bridge: at a glance
Construction of the Millennium Bridge began in 1998. The total cost of completion was around £18.2 million.
The bridge was funded by the Millennium Commission and the London Bridge Trust. However, it is said that 7 million from the Millennium Commission alone.
On its opening day, June 10, 2000, the Millennium Bridge was crossed by around 90,000 people, and around 2,000 people were on the bridge at any one time.
A typical swing for this bridge
During a charity walk for Save the Children, participants reported feeling an uncomfortable rocking motion during the first two days the bridge was open.
As a result, Londoners have nicknamed the bridge "The Wobbly Bridge". It was later discovered that the wobbly effect was due to the unconscious tendency of pedestrians to follow each other as they walked, giving the bridge an uncomfortable sideways sway.
The bridge was closed for almost two years to remedy this "oscillation", then reopened in 2002.
Millenium Bridge: a real movie star
Since then, the Millennium Bridge has become an icon in various London films, such as Harry Potter. In the film, the Millennium Bridge collapses after a Death Eater attack.
He can also be seen in the 2014 American film: Guardians of the Galaxy.
A unique design in London
The Millennium Bridge features two river piers and, due to its unique design, the support cables were placed below deck level to give it a shallow profile.
There are eight suspension cables consisting of 120 mm locked coils, and they are designed to pull with sufficient force against the pillars on each bank. Thus, the bridge is capable of supporting 5,000 people at any one time.
The bridge was designed by architect Sir Norman Foster, sculptor Sir Anthony Caro and engineers Arup.
We call it a technical innovation thanks to the bridge's lateral suspension, enabling it to be built without tall support columns.
Its designers also stated that the bridge was designed to resemble a blade of light crossing the Thames.
Millenium Bridge: some tips for your visit
If you're only in London for a short time and want to see as many sights as possible, there are many points of interest around the Millennium Bridge. In just a few minutes, you can be on your way to :
- To the St. Paul's Cathedral
- To the Tate Modern
- Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
This may go without saying, but try to cross the bridge when the sky is clear. to take superb photos of the London skyline.
How do I get there?
Thanks to our comprehensive public transport network, you can get to the Millenium Bridge in many different ways. You can take :
- Visit metro via Blackfriars, Southwark, St Paul's or Cannon Street stations
- Visit trainthe nearest station is London Bridge
- Visit bus with lines 4, 11, 15, 23, 25, 26, 45, 63, 100, 242, 381 and 344
Millennium Bridge: take care when crossing
If you plan to cross the bridge during the autumn, winter or spring months, be sure to wear warm clothing, as the air can be particularly cold when crossing the river.
It's also a good idea to bring an extra sweater even if you're crossing the bridge in summer, for safety's sake.
Be aware that on rainy days, the bridge can become slippery, so make sure to wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
Cyclists are not allowed to cross the bridge on their bikes, but they are allowed to walk and push their bikes.
When visiting London, it's worth taking the time to visit the Millennium Bridge. From here, you'll be able to get to all the main places in London.
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