Old London Bridge: River Traffic and Tolls

Pinch points and currents

Narrow arches created shoots where experienced watermen steered; novices waited for slack tide.

Daily traffic

• Fish, grain, timber
• Stone, wool, imported goods
• City folk crossing by ferry when bridge was crowded

Tolls & Control

• Payments kept bridge repairs funded; disputes common.
• Experienced watermen timed shoots through arches.

Safety Then vs. Now

• Narrow flows demanded skill; today’s traffic is signalled and controlled.