Lock And Swing Bridge

The Lock and Swing Bridge, located on the Royal Arsenal Canal in Thamesmead, was constructed between 1812 and 1814 for the lock and in 1876 for the swing bridge. The entrance lock is made of brick, featuring dressings and coping made from Dundee stone, with 20th-century riveted steel lock gates. An iron swing bridge is situated at the southwest corner of the lock. The Royal Arsenal Canal was created to facilitate the transport of supplies, particularly timber, to the arsenal and to secure the eastern boundary of the site. The swing bridge was added to accommodate a standard gauge railway line that connected to the London, Chatham and Dover Railway at Plumstead in 1876.