WEIRD FACTS ABOUT
TOWER BRIDGE
Tower Bridge, across the River Thames in London, was completed in 1894 at a cost of £1,184,000. Adjusted for inflation, that is almost £97million at today's prices.
Tower Bridge is a 'bascule' bridge - a word that comes from the French for 'see-saw'.
Until 1977, the bridge was brown. In that year it was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The high-level walkways were closed in 1910, partly to deter suicides, but also because of their reputation as a haunt of prostitutes and pickpockets.
Prior to beginning a total repainting of Tower Bridge in London starting in 2009, it was calculated that 22,000 litres of new paint would be needed.
Any ship wishing to have the bridge opened to let it pass underneath must give 24 hours' notice.
An average of two couples a month get married on Tower Bridge and one couple took a break from competing in the 2009 London Marathon to be wed on the bridge.
In 1952, the bridge began to open with a No 78 double-decker bus still on it, forcing the vehicle to leap over the three-foot gap. Nobody was hurt and the driver, Albert Gunton, was awarded £10 for his bravery.
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