The Sun.
London, England, 1840-09-16 00:00:00

BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE

It was yesterday determined, in the Blackfriars-
Bridge Committee, that the bridge should not be opened
for carriages until the 2d of October. We understand

that the postponement has taken place in consequence
of the request of the contractor, who being resolved to
finish his engagement in the most complete manner, re-
quires that the pavement be not travelled over until a
fortnight shall have elapsed.
Every one who has witnessed the improvements is
highly gratified at the manner in which this great work
has been accomplished. During the progress of the
repairs and embellishments some have complained of
the apparent tardiness of the operations ; but mere ob-
servers are not aware of the difficuities which have pre-
sented themselves in the thorough repair of such a
structure, especially when it is recollected that the
navigation has not been once stopped, and the carriage-
way is for the first time closed, for the purpose of lower-
ing the acclivities, and putting down a pavement be-
yond all comparison the finest in the metropolis.
The Committee (for we will do them every justice)
did not confine themselves to the plan of merely re-
pairing the bridge, but wisely directed their attention
to the removal of the intolerable nuisance (a nuisance
to passengers as well as to the inhabitants of the neigh-
bourhood) arising from the communication of the open
sewer, called the Fleet•ditch, at the north end of the
bridge with the river, and they have succeeded to
admiration.

It, had been the subject of complaint long and loud
that the sewers of the metropolis emptied their filthy
contents into the open air, almost at the level of high
water, which contents were exposed for hours daily,
generating putrefaction and malaria so as most seriously
to endanger the health- -4 thc—immediate vicinity, and,
indeed of the metropolis. Mr. Walker, an engineer,
having been directed by the Committee to examine the
mouth of the ditch, and consider the best means of
correcting an evil of such. magnitude, undertook the
task most willingly, and proposed a remedy for the effi-
cacy of which the Committee offer their unanimous
responsibility. The engineer recommended the fixing
of an iron culvert twelve feet wide, three feet six inches
high, 250 feet long, with a fall of five feet several feet
below the shore to receive the filth as it falls
from the covered sewer, and to carry it still under
cover, down to the low water of a low tide, which he
judged would be sufficient to pass the largest carcase ;
and in the centre of the opening of the tunnel or arch
of the sewer where it enters the river through the wing
wall of the bridge, which is illiptical twelve feet wide
and eighteen feet high, being an area of one hundred
and twenty feet, to hang three iron flaps to move, in or
out by the action of the ahind or water, and the space
above to be covered witl iron plates to prevent the
escape of the effluvia.
This plan of Mr. Walker was recommended by the
Blaekfriars-bridge Committee to the Court of Common
Council, who referred it back to be carried into effect,
and the work was nearly completed, when the Com-
missioners of Sewers for the City raised some objection
to the closing of the mouth of the sewer. The work of
such extreme importance is thus temporarily checked.
The advabtege which it is calculated to produce is,
in the opinion of the most scientific men, of immeasur-
able extent. We shall narrowly watch the proceedings
of the Commissioners of Sewers, who, whatever be
the reason of it, become, although appointed by the
Common Council, the moment they are appointed,
quite independent of that body.