The iconic central London bridge that is getting a dazzling makeover

London isn’t short on beautiful bridges. We’ve got the stunning pink Albert Bridge, the modern Millennium Bridge and the iconic Tower Bridge. 

Now another historic London bridge is to undergo a big renovation, restoring it to the beauty of its Victorian heyday. Blackfriars Bridge is glowing up, with a major repair and repainting job that will begin this autumn.

Opened by Queen Victoria in 1869, the Joseph Cubitt-designed Blackfriars Bridge is currently in need of some TLC. Phase one of the Blackfriars Bridge renovation was completed in 2023, however more than half the project remained incomplete due to restrictions caused by the building of London’s new ‘super sewer’. 

During the works, managed by the City Bridge Foundation charity, more than 2,000 of the bridge’s iron balusters will be ‘painstakingly’ repaired, or replaced in some cases, alongside a complete paint job that will ‘restore its Victorian splendour’. 

The City Bridge Foundation has awarded the phase two contract to engineering firm Taziker Industrial. Works are estimated to being in late October. 

Deputy Paul Martinelli, a City of London Corporation councillor and chair of the City Bridge Foundation, said: ‘The bridge refurbishment, which is being carried out at no cost to the taxpayer, will not only improve its appearance, but also protect the structure of the bridge and extend its lifespan.’

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