The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-16 00:00:00

PA ItL7AMEivTAR yCOMMITTEES.

THAMES EMBANKMENT.
The Committee appointed to consider the pro-
posal for a Thames Embankment re-assembled
yesterday, Sir Joseph Paxton in the chair. The
members present were Sir John Shelley, Lord John
Manners, Mr. Philipps, Mr. Beamish, Mr. W. H.
Cowper, Lord Robert Montagu, Mr. Roupell, Mr.
Walter, and Sir S. M. Peto.
Mr. G. P. BIDDER said that he was President
of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and had turned
his attention to the question of the embankment
of the River Thames, and to the subject of the
construction of a low level sewer running in
the direction of the Strand and Fleet-street.
The plan now before the committee con-
templated to obviate the difficulties of such
a construction, and at the same time by
an embankment, of the river to improve the
access from the West-end to the City. The proposed
embankment would leave New Westminster-bridge
on the level, and proceed to Whitehall-place on a
low level, so as not to interfere with the mansion
residences on Richmond-terrace and Privy-gardens.
It would so proceed until it reached Hungerford-
bridge, which was about to be converted into a
railway bridge, which it would pass under, and
then rise at an easy gradient with an embankment
five feet above Trinity high-water mark to the level
of Waterloo-bridge.' Thence it would proceed to
Blackfriars on a level, and on to Southwark-bridge,
where it would end. At Hungerford it was • pro-
posed to construct a dock of five acres for the ac-
commodation of the existing traffic there in the hay
and straw trade, and along the line of route the
plan was so designed as not to interfere with the
premises and wharves on the northern bank of the
river. On the embankment, besides the roadway
and foot pavement, it was proposed to construct a
double tramway for omnibuses drawn by horses to
run between Westminster and Southwark bridges.
The time that would be required for the construc-
tion of the works would be between three and four
years. He considered that the Metropolitan Board
of Works might fairly contribute towards the work
£250,000 on behalf of the metropolis, for the ac-
commodation it would give to the construction of
the low level sewer and a roadway 100 feet in
width. If the low level is carried out the estimate
was £50,000, but there would be loss occasioned
by persons being obliged to close their shops for
months together. It was believed the total liabi-
lities for the construction of this sewer would not
be far short of £240,000. The circumstances on the
south side of the Thames were entirely different,
as they would not require a roadway there. His
plan would bring the river into a more uniform
form, it would do away with mudbanks, and in
every respect the river would be improved. In
performing this work, in some cases they must be
prepared to give compensation to the wharf-
owners. There will be arches of iron in front
of the Temple-gardens, about 25 feet in height,
of an ornamental appearance. There would be
access to the river under those arches. The bargei
would be unloaded on to the quay, which would be
a matter of great convenience. He estimated the
cost of the works contemplated on the north bank
between Westminster and Southwark bridges, in-
cluding the construction of the embankment wall,
the dock, and roadway on arches, as shown in the
plan exhibited, but irrespective of compensation, at
£1,500,000. This plan would do away altogether
with mudbanks. He did not think it would be de-
sirable to continue this embankment from South-
wark-bridge to London-bridge, as the river there
becomes narrow, and space could not be taken
from it. Besides, it would not do to increase
the traffic to London-bridge at that point. He
considered that the Metropolitan Board of Works
should contribute a quarter of a million to the cost
of the embankment, which would include the cost of
£lB,OOO for making the low level sewer. The sewer
must be completed in two years, and this embank-
ment would require four years, but a provision for
an extension of the time must be made in the act of
Parliament. He thought it was most essential that
this roadway should form a connexion between the
Houses of Parliament and the City. He knew that
the land on the south side of the Thames was liable
to inundation, but he did not think the embank-
ment of the river on the north side would at all ag-
gravate the evil. The embankment on the north
side would be a benefit to those persons living on
the south side, as they would have the benefit of
this wide roadway in common with other inhabi-
tants of the metropolis. The omnibuses would pass
over a tramway, but he did not believe the noise
would be so much as in ordinary street traffic. At
Southwark-bridge there would be no land exposed
at low water. About two hours before the flow of
the tide, barges would not be able to enter the
locks; but as they came up from the pool with the
flood tide, which is a considerable distance, by the
time they reached the wharves there would be
sufficient water for them to enter the locks. It
would be of the greatest possible advantage to
have the low-level sewer constructed in the
embankment, but it would be possible to have
the low-level sewer on the foreshore of the river,
without an embankment. With the exception of
a slight descent from Westminster-bridge to Hun-
gerford-bridge, the whole distance traversed would
be on the level. If the embankment was carried
out in the way he suggested, there would be a
large additional area in front of Somerset-house,
which might be devoted to public offices.
Mr. Harrison said he was a civil engineer, and
had carried out large works in various parts of the
kingdom. He had, in conjunction with Mr. Bidder,
made the plan now before the committee, and con-
curred entirely in the evidence which he had given.
At half-past 3 o'clock the committee adjourned.