Explore Cannon Street Railway Bridge

Bringing one of the Thames’ oldest bridges to life

Illuminated River (2019-07-16/2019-07-16) by James NewtonIlluminated River

The history of Cannon Street Railway Bridge

Nothing whatsoever to do with weaponry, Cannon Street got its name as a shortening of the 17th century word 'candelwrichstrete' which means 'street of candle makers'. The area sits within the Ward of Candelwick, one of 25 ancient subdivisions of the City of London. Cannon Street Bridge, designed by Sir John Hawkshaw and originally opened in 1866, consists of five impressive spans supported by cast iron Doric pillars. The railway bridge carries trains from Cannon Street station across the Thames. Many of the original ornamental features were removed when the bridge was extensively renovated by British Rail in 1982. However, two brick towers from the original bridge remain on the river front. The towers conceal large tanks that contain enough water to power Cannon Street station's hydraulic lifts.

Illuminated River (2019-07-06/2019-07-06) by James NewtonIlluminated River

Cannon Street Railway Bridge - Illuminated River (2019-07-13/2019-07-13) by James NewtonIlluminated River

The artistic vision

Cannon Street Bridge, despite being one of the oldest bridges on the Thames, has never been lit before. Villareal's artwork celebrates the bridge's often overlooked utilitarian character and monumental Doric columns, giving it a new night-time identity. The linear structure is illuminated by a colour wash on each side that emphasises the clean horizontality of the bridge. The subtly kinetic play of light on these surfaces mirrors the motion of the trains as they pass above, whilst the colour palette complements the colour schemes of neighbouring London and Southwark Bridges. The rising vertical forms of the piers have been left unlit.

Cannon Street Railway Bridge - Illuminated River (2019-07-06/2019-07-06) by James NewtonIlluminated River

Cannon Street Railway Bridge (2019-07-16/2019-07-16) by James NewtonIlluminated River

Tap to explore

Scroll to explore Cannon Street Railway Bridge in 360

Cannon Street Railway Bridge - Illuminated River (2019-09-24/2019-09-24) by James NewtonIlluminated River

Did you know that over 10.5 million people travel over Cannon Street Railway Bridge every year?

Leo Villareal and Cannon Street Railway Bridge, 2019 (2019-07-16/2019-07-16)Illuminated River

Leo Villareal discusses the architecture of Cannon Street Railway Bridge and the inspiration behind his artwork.

Credits: Story

Videography by Paul Crawley ©

Cannon Street passenger data provided by Network Rail (averages from entry / exit data 2014-2015 and 2015-16)

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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