Listed: the magnificent seven Thames bridges

SEVEN of London's most famous bridges are listed today by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

The structures - the earliest of which dates from more than 140 years ago - will now enjoy protection from damage or alterations.

Chelsea Bridge has been listed at GradeII, as have Lambeth Bridge and its obelisks and Richmond Railway Bridge and its approach viaduct.

Cremorne Bridge, West London Extension Railway Bridge has been listed at the higher Grade II* level, as has Vauxhall Bridge. Hammersmith Bridge and Twickenham Bridge - which has unique railings, lamp standards and light brackets - were already Grade II but were today upgraded to Grade II*.

Mr Burnham said: "Bridges have straddled the Thames, uniting north and south London, for centuries. In fact, there is evidence of structures across the river dating as far back as 1500BC.

"These seven examples represent the very best of Britain's bridge-building heritage; from one of the first modern suspension bridges in the world to Britain's only example of sculpture on a river crossing. They show British engineering at its best and I believe they should be celebrated and preserved for generations to come."

Simon Thurley, chief executive for English Heritage, said: "Considering their architectural and historic contribution to the capital, a surprising number of these magnificent river crossings do not have statutory protection. Today's listing is a fantastic endorsement of London's heritage."

The oldest Thames bridge being listed today, Cremorne Bridge, was opened on 2 March 1863, and is one of the earliest surviving railway bridges to cross the Thames in its original form. It connects the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham with Wandsworth, and was originally built to link the main northbound lines out of Paddington and Euston stations with the southbound lines from Waterloo, Victoria and Clapham Junction.

The newest, Chelsea Bridge, was built using the wood of Douglas fir trees from British Columbia and was opened by the Prime Minister of Canada, W L Mackenzie King, on 6 May 1937.

Lambeth Bridge, which was opened on 12 July 1929 by King George V and Queen Mary, was built by the same firm which built the Tyne Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It replaced a horse-ferry which shuttled between Lambeth and Millbank, giving Horseferry Road its name.