Shadwell Portal To The Rotherhithe Tunnel

The Shadwell Portal to the Rotherhithe Tunnel, built between 1904 and 1908, was engineered by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice, following the structural system established with the Blackwall Tunnel. The architectural design of the portal is similar to those for Blackwall, created by Thomas Blashill. It features a semi-circular arch with a roll mould, and the spandrels and parapet are faced in polished pink granite. Below the parapet is a bull-nosed string, flanked by slightly battered dies with curved pyramidal cappings. Stone stairs with granite parapets descend in two flights along the cutting retaining walls, providing pedestrian access to the tunnel footpaths. For the archway to the tunnel approach, refer to Branch Road. The Surrey shore portal is of identical design to this one.