f>4 Improvements of the Tort of London, 



without encroaching upon the property which is now Con~ 

 neeled with the lliores. 



The poi tion of this plan which has been more immediately 

 under the confideratio 1 of the committee during the prefent 

 femons of parliament, lias been a defign by Meffrs. Telford 

 and Dpuglafs, in which it is propofed to conflruct the bridge 

 of a fuigle arch compofed wholly of caft iron : the fpan of 

 the arch is 600 feet, bdng the width to which, by Mr. Jef- 

 fop's report, the river ought to be contracted, if it is ex- 

 cavated to have 1$ feet at low water: the height in the clear 

 above high water is 65 feet, being the elevation determined 

 by the resolution of the committee laft feflions. 



The boldne's and fimplicity of this defign render it an 

 object of attention, not only to the committee, who are en- 

 gaged in confidering the further improvement of the port of 

 London, but to men of fcience and practical engineers, and 

 to all who feel an intereft in ,the improvement and credit of 

 their country. 



It is now generally admitted that the prefent London 

 bridge ought to be removed, being expenfive and dangerous 

 in itfelf, and forming an obltrudtion in the mod valuable 

 part of the river. If the prefent bridge is to be removed, the 

 new bridge fhould be rebuilt upon that plan which mould 

 leave the river clear of obftacles, and, at the fame time, reflect 

 moft credit on the Britifh artifts. 



If a fingle arch can be cojiurucled without endangering 

 the folidity and duration of the ftructure, moft undoubtedly 

 there can be only one opinion as to the propriety of adopting 

 it. It would be a great national work^ combining the greateit 

 degree of utility and magnificence, and fuperior in its kind 

 to any thing the world has yet fcen. 



In a work of this nature it would have been imprudenfto 

 have been guided by the judgment or opinion, of any indi- 

 vidual ; it therefore became neceifary to collect the fentiments 

 of all the perfons moft eminent for fcientific knowledge and 

 practical ikill : this has been done by the committee in the 

 moft effectual and impartial manner that could be devifed, 

 by tranfmjttingr copies of the plans, explanatory drawings, 

 s.nd the queries relating thereto, to perfons who are well qua- 

 lified to iayeftigate the fubject : thole gentlemen have taken 

 it up with an impartiality, candour, and patriotifin, which 

 does them much honour, and have furniflied able and fatif- 

 factorv demon (1 rations and opinions. The refult is, that an 

 arch, of the plan and dimenfions referred to their confider- 

 ation, may be conftructed fo as to be rendered a fubftantiai 

 and durable edifice. . 



' The 



