Albert Bridge in Chelsea, London built by Andrew Handyside in 1873.

The Derby firm Andrew Handyside who made Friar Gate bridge in Derby also made many hundreds of other bridges of many different sizes around the world. This bridge in London has to be one of the most famous and attractive looking bridges that Andrew Handyside built.

Albert Bridge is a Grade II listed road bridge over the River Thames in West London, It connects Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank. Albert Bridge was Grade II-listed in 1975.

It was designed by the Victorian Engineer Rowland Mason Ordish from Melbourne in Derbyshire (who designed St Pancras Railway station roof, Derby Market Hall, Esplande Mansions).

It has been used as a backdrop for several films such as Absolute Beginners, Sliding Doors and Maybe Baby as well as music videos (see links to video below the photographs.)

The bridge was entirely manufactured in Derby at the Britannia Iron Works by Andrew Handyside in 1872.
The bridge is 710 foot long. The river pier is formed by two concrete columns within cast iron cylinders, these were not made by Handyside but were cast at a foundry adjoining the site.

The bridge is covered with  4000 low-voltage tungsten-halogen bulbs which are switched on when night falls to create an absolutely stunning looking bridge.


Photographs of Albert Bridge.
My Panoramic photo of the bridge


My photo from Chelsea end of the end of the bridge.


Albert bridge is covered with thousands of lights so looks great at night here.




Videos featuring this bridge:
A time-lapse video of a day in the life of Albert Bridge.


Links to more videos:
View from a Speed boat going under Albert Bridge at night.

Albert bridge at night.

Albert Bridge sunrise time-lapse.

Albert Bridge Publicity Stunt - car on two wheels.

Video postcard of Albert Bridge.

Music video - Don't Get Me Wrong by The pretenders.

Music Video - Misty Morning Albert Bridge by The Pogues.

My Reference :
Pages 170-175 of Works in Iron - Bridge and Roof Structures by Ewing Matheson of the firm Andrew Handyside And Co., Engineers, Derby and London.
Published by E & F.N. Spon 1873.

Map Location:
View my Andrew Handyside World Map to see the exact location of this bridge on the world map.
My world map is the result of hundreds of hours of research into the company, plotting out each item as I find it.

Google Streetview has captured this bridge HERE.

Can you help find more Handyside stuff ?
If anyone out there knows of any other bridges around the world bearing the Handyside badge that I have not mentioned yet then please get in touch with details, location, photographs etc.

Thanks
Andy