Railway viaduct arches

The railway viaduct arches date to 1864 and 1866 and form the southern frontage of the viaducts that carry trains from London Bridge Station. There are nineteen bays, along with two larger openings accommodating Bermondsey Street and Shand Street, which pass underneath. Each bay has round-headed arches, primarily arranged in groups of three, with a taller central arch featuring a keystone. The arches are faced with polychrome brick in red, black, and white and incorporate carved stone capitals and hood moulds. The capitals display stiff-leaf carving and carved male heads and eagles. The road openings are elliptical in shape but share similar decoration. Most arches have radiating timber-paned fanlights; some are blind brick facades, while others have timber, metal-paned, or altered windows, including modern metal roller shutters, signage, plate-glass windows, and doors. One bay has recently been rebuilt to create a single vehicular opening. Above the arches, the viaduct features a stone cornice supported by brick modillions set against a band of red brick, followed by a raised parapet with stone-capped brick piers. The central section of the parapet was removed when a large concrete signal box was constructed in the 1970s.

London Bridge Station has been built and rebuilt in phases, beginning in 1836 with a brick viaduct and temporary platforms, and most recently with the construction of the Jubilee Line extension in 1999. The structure’s physical appearance reflects a variety of architectural styles and periods.