Man‑Made Structures on the River Thames
The River Thames hosts numerous iconic man‑made structures:
- Tower Bridge: Completed 1894, a combined bascule and suspension bridge with twin towers and a central opening for tall ships.
- London Bridge: The current concrete bowstring‑arch bridge opened in 1973, succeeding several historic predecessors.
- The Thames Barrier: Operational since 1984, this movable flood barrier with ten steel gates protects London from tidal surges.
- Greenwich Foot Tunnel: Opened 1902, a 377‑meter pedestrian tunnel linking North Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs.
- Vauxhall Bridge: Built 1904‑1906, an ornate steel arch with decorative balustrades and lamps.
Additional piers, embankments, jetties, and minor structures line the riverbanks.