Original description by George Birch in 1894
The present granite bridge, which connects the City with the Borough, was built between the years 1825–31 from the designs of John Rennie, to replace the one constructed by the order of Henry the Third, which was demolished in 1832. The aspect of old London Bridge, with its houses and chapel, has been rendered familiar to us in old engravings; it was until one hundred years ago the only bridge in London. London Bridge, as it now stands, is nearly 950 feet long and 54 feet broad, and is built on five arches. In obedience to a regulation of the City police, vehicles travelling at walking pace keep near the kerb, while quicker moving ones keep near the centre of the roadway. Owing to this procedure blocks in the traffic are infrequent, notwithstanding the fact that about 15,000 vehicles and 100,000 foot-passengers cross the bridge daily.
Other observations
This is the 19th century bridge, built 100ft upstream (west) of its predecessor, and opened in 1831. It was sold in 1968 and reassembled in Arizona. See here.
I cannot read the notices in left foreground. On the one directly beyond a lamp post I can read the word EMBANKMENT but nothing else. To its left are newspaper posters, of which I can only read the word MAIL.
The haze produced by the smoke-filled atmosphere of the 1890s is apparent.
Geolocation
Information with respect to the modern bridge—
Subject at centre of picture: TQ 3281 8060
Camera position: TQ 3281 8060 approx. Possibly viewable from some floor on number 46, King William Street.
Camera height: third floor level, judging by building at right of photo.
View angle: ?35° approx.
Focal length (35mm equiv): 60mm approx.
Nearest similar geograph
No exact match possible since the old bridge is no longer there.
Technical information
See here.