A previous bridge, designed by John Rennie the Elder, opened on the site in 1819.
On the 1818 Cary map of London, it was labelled as Queen Street Bridge.
All subsequent maps label it as Southwark Bridge.
 The bridge consisted of three large cast-iron spans supported by granite piers.
The bridge was notable for having the longest cast iron span, 240 feet (73 m), ever made.
Unsurprisingly, it became known colloquially as "The Iron Bridge" as mentioned inter alia in Charles Dickens' "Little Dorrit".
The iron spans were cast in Masborough, Rotherham.
It was a commercial tolled operation which was trying to compete with the toll free Blackfriars and London bridges nearby, but the company became bankrupt and its interest were acquired by the Bridge House Estates which then made it toll free in 1864.

A new bridge on the site was designed by Ernest George and Basil Mott.
It was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. and opened on 6 June 1921.

Halfway along the bridge on the Western side is a plaque which is inscribed:
 Re-built by the Bridge House Estates Committee

 of the Corporation of London

 1913-1921

 Opened for traffic by their Majesties

 King George V and Queen Mary

 6th June 1921

 Sir Ernest Lamb CMG, JP Chairman

 Basil Mott, CB Engineer

 Sir Ernest George RA Architect
The bridge provides access to Upper Thames Street on the north bank and, due to the ring of steel, there is no further road access to the City and the north.
The bridge is owned and maintained by Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust overseen by the City of London Corporation.
The current bridge was given Grade II listed structure status in 1995.
A previous bridge, designed by John Rennie the Elder, opened on the site in 1819. On the 1818 Cary map of London, it was labelled as Queen Street Bridge. All subsequent maps label it as Southwark Bridge.  The bridge consisted of three large cast-iron spans supported by granite piers. The bridge was notable for having the longest cast iron span, 240 feet (73 m), ever made. Unsurprisingly, it became known colloquially as "The Iron Bridge" as mentioned inter alia in Charles Dickens' "Little Dorrit". The iron spans were cast in Masborough, Rotherham. It was a commercial tolled operation which was trying to compete with the toll free Blackfriars and London bridges nearby, but the company became bankrupt and its interest were acquired by the Bridge House Estates which then made it toll free in 1864.
A new bridge on the site was designed by Ernest George and Basil Mott. It was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. and opened on 6 June 1921.
Halfway along the bridge on the Western side is a plaque which is inscribed:
 Re-built by the Bridge House Estates Committee

 of the Corporation of London

 1913-1921

 Opened for traffic by their Majesties

 King George V and Queen Mary

 6th June 1921

 Sir Ernest Lamb CMG, JP Chairman

 Basil Mott, CB Engineer

 Sir Ernest George RA Architect
The bridge provides access to Upper Thames Street on the north bank and, due to the ring of steel, there is no further road access to the City and the north. The bridge is owned and maintained by Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust overseen by the City of London Corporation. The current bridge was given Grade II listed structure status in 1995.
Southwark Bridge