The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-02 00:00:00

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, SIX O'CLOCK.

THAMES EIIfBA...VKMENT COMMISSION
(SURREY SIDE), 1862.

REPORT.
TO TUT', QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MATESTT

We the undersigned members
of
nyko.ur Majesty's Corn
mission to examine plans for embanking the Surrey side
of the River Thames, within the metropolis,ing and. to report
4, which of the said plans of embankment in our
opinion, conduce with the greatest efficiency and to the improvement, embellishment, and convenience of
that part of the metropolis, improve the navigation of the
river, and provide a public thoroughfare without Stopping
such trade as must be carried on upon the bank of the
river, and also upon the cost and means of carrying the
same into execution," beg to submit the following re-
marks :
The nature of the inquiry entrusted to us was made
known by advertisements in the newspapers, and twenty
designs were submitted for consideration. A short descrip_
tion of each is appended. Ihe authors have attended
given full explanations, and stated their respective views
as will be seen in the evidence hereto annexed.
We must here express our opinion of the excellence of
many of the plans submitted to us ; and although we
cannot recommend any one plan for adoption in its
entirety as meeting all the requirements of the
Case, yet the principal features of some of them
are embodied in the plan we have the honour to suggest.
Some of the plans comprise the whole length of the Sur-
rey shore from Deptford to Battersea. park ; and we have
accordingly directed our inquiries to that extent.
We propose to divide this district into three sections ; the
first extending from Deptford to Westminster-bridge, the
second from Westminster-bridge to Vauxhall-bridge, and
the third from Vauxhall-bridge to Battersea-park.
With respect to the first section, as the existing thorough •
fares with the new street now being made between South-
wark and Blackfriars roads will, in our opinion, afford suffi
ciently convenient and direct direct means of communica

Lion for :he traffic,—and as the flooding of the low-lying
districts could be obviated by a more efficient drainage—
there does not appear to us any public necessity for an em-
bankment and roadway between Deptford and Westmin-
ster-bridge. The formation of such a roadway would in-
volve a vast expenditure of money, and cause a great dis-
turbance of the trade and commerce of that part of the
metropolis. If, however, the owners and occupiers of such
wharf property should, be desirous at any time of construct-
ing an embankment, which, whilst increasing their own
accommodation, would ensure uniformity of design, and
improve the navigation of the river, we are of opinion that
every facility should be afforded them for so doing, although
we are unable to recommend that the cost should be de-
frayed by the public.
With respect to the second section, namely, from West-
minster-bridge to Vauxhall, we are of opinion, that a new
and improved communication is necessary, and this, we
think, may be effected by constructing an embankment and
roadway between those points- The property adjacent to
the river between Lambeth Church and Vauxhall-bridge
is of an inferior character. The wharf walls are insufficient
to keep out the water at high tides, hence many of the
streets are at times flooded, causing distress and sickness
to the inhabitants, who are for the most part of the poorer
classes.

Between Vauxhall. bridge and Battersea-park, which
comprises the third section of our inquiry, an embanked
roadway would afford access to the Battersea Station of the
South Coast Railway, and to the Goods Station of the
South-Western and Chatham and Dover Railways, would
improve and embellish that part of the metropolis, and
afford a convenient and agreeable approach to Battersea-
park from the densely populated districts of Lambeth and
Southwark.

We, therefore, humbly submit to your Majesty that an
embanked roadway of about two miles should be formed
between Westminster-bridge and Battersea-park, com-
mencing at the east abutment of 'Westminster-bridge, on
a viaduct of an ornamental character opposite the Houses
of Parliament, as far as Bishop's-walk; thence on a solid
embankment to the north side of the London Gas Works
continued upon Vauxhall-bridge as far as Nine Elms on a
viaduct, and thence on a solid embankment, passing under
the land arch of the railway bridge, and terminating
at the approach road of the new suspension bridge
at Battersea. The plan and section, which are
append to this Report, show the direction and levels of the
intended road, and the an angement:4 proposed for accom-
modating some of the occuiers of the most important of the
water-side premise, ; and in suggesting viaducts we have
endeavoured not to interfere, more than is absolutely neces-
sary, with the trades which must be carried en upon the
banks of the river.

The dredging of the foreshore in the front of the em-
bankment to a level of fivo feet below low water (particu-
larly at Lambeth and Nine Elms) improve the navigation,
compensate to a great extent for the loss of tidal water dis-
placed by the solid portions of the embankment, and as the
foreshore will be formed, under the viaduct of solid material,
and on a suit able incline, it will tend to prevent accumula-
tions of mud, where the shores are flat or uneven.

Communications with the embankment would be made
at Stangate, by prolonging Palace New-road, and widen-
ing Bishop's-walk on the western side, Church-street,
Broad-street, Vauxhall-row, High-street, Battersea-road
near Nine Elms Goods Station, New Park-road, leading to
Wandsworth, and the station of the London, Chatham,and
Dover Railway Company.

The estimated cost of this work, including land and
compensation, is £1,100,000 ; but it is imortant to observe,
that if the present favourable opportunity for carrying out
this great work be not at once embraced, the cost will
necessarily be much greater, by reason of the increasing
demand for land and buildings for trade purposes in and
near to the metropolis. This scheme would be a metropo-
litan improvement ; and with reference to the means by
which the cost is to be defrayed, we consider that the coal
and wine dues should be appropriated for such a further
period as may be necessary for the purpose. All which we

humbly report to your Majesty.
Witness our hand and seals this 29th day of July, 1862,
WILLIAM CUBITT.
JOSHUA WEBB.
DOUGLAS GALTON.
EDWD. BURSTAL.
HENRY A. HUNT.
JOHN ROBINSON M'CLEAN.
Henry Ringscote, Secretary.