Tower Bridge Bascules Open For The Smallest of Boats

I grew up with this Bridge and remember the excitement of crossing it with my family.

I remember the 'Oh Wow' moments because they were unique and fun. Since then, it has always been in the background.

No matter how many times I see the Bridge, go near it or walk along it, I’m in awe of it. It’s a beautiful bridge.

The Bridge has taken on a whole new meaning for me post-COVID. I created a sense of normalcy by walking over it the first weekend that COVID restrictions were lifted.

The Traffic was light, and there were barely any pedestrians. I could walk at my own pace, process my thoughts and savour the steps.

I realised the Bridge signified a silent strength, which was both powerful and cathartic. The walk will stay with me for a long time because it is etched into my life journey during the summer of 2020.

It's Ageing Well

Did you know Tower Bridge is over 131 years old and still going strong?

It was built between 1886 and 1894 to allow the growing population of London to cross the River Thames.

There's a reason why it was built the way it was. Its smart design has enabled people's horses and carriages to move quickly from one side to another.

Plus, tall ships could sail through with ease. The River Thames was very busy in the Victorian days with trade.

Bridge Lifts

I went on a behind-the-scenes tour and experienced two Bridge Lifts.

The Bridge is raised to 45 degrees, enough for a ship with a sail to go through. However, the King is the only person it fully opens for (at 83 degrees).

The main reason is that the Bridge is old, and too much wear could cause irreparable damage. Pre-COVID, there were over 1000 bridge lifts a year. Now, there are 800 Bridge lifts each year.

Fun Facts

✳️40,000 people walk over the Bridge

✳️Over 5000 vehicles go over the Bridge

✳️On average, the Bridge Opens Twice a day for free

✳️It's free to sail your boat through. You need to give the Tower Bridge 24 hours' notice

✳️The Bridge can open in just 5 minutes

✳️Ships have priority over pedestrians. Even Bill Clinton once had to wait when he visited as the President of the USA

✳️The walkway fell into disrepair in the early days and became London's informal Red Light district.

✳️The two bascules at the top of the Bridge weigh 1100 tonnes each.

✳️11,000 tonnes of steel, 70000 tonnes of concrete and 31 million bricks went into building the Bridge

✳️There’s a similar copycat in China. Due to design rights, the Bridge cannot be replicated.

The Bascules

The Seesaw Effect. A massive 400-ton counterweight perfectly balances each of the two roadway leaves (the bascules). That clever setup lets the whole bridge open smoothly in about five minutes, without putting crazy strain on the towers.

The Bascule Chambers

When it’s time to let ships through, those heavy counterweights swing down into huge underground chambers—115 steps below the river’s high-tide level. It’s like the bridge is bowing politely to let traffic pass underneath.

Power Source

It originally ran on coal-fired steam and hydraulic water accumulators. In 1976, they upgraded it to a modern oil-hydraulic system, but the original engineering magic is still very much alive.

By Law

The bridge must open for boats. It’s not optional—river traffic has right of way, so whenever a vessel needs the clearance signals, the bascules go up.

No arguments, no exceptions. That’s the rule baked into the law since the bridge was built.

Parting Thoughts

During my behind-the-scenes tour, I was lucky enough to close the Bridge. I must say it was one of the top 10 experiences.

I was on cloud nine for the rest of the journey home. I remember sitting down in a nearby hotel cafe to process the excitement.

Since then, I have had a special fondness for the Bridge.

So, if you have a boat and want to go under the Bridge, you can request that the Bridge open for you, free of charge.

Thank you for your attention.

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Best wishes

Tabby