24. THE THAMES EMBANKMENT BETWEEN WESTMINSTER AND ST. PAUL'S.
STATIONS: Westminster, Charing Cross, Temple, and Blackfriars on the District Railway; Charing Cross on the Bakerloo and Hampstead Tubes. TRAMWAYS all along the Embankment and across Blackfriars and Westminster Bridges. OMNIBUSES, Nos. 3, 12, 53, 59, 76, 77, etc., across Westminster Bridge; Nos. 1, 48, 67, 68, across Waterloo Bridge; Nos. 4, 45, 63, 76, across Blackfriars Bridge; Nos. 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, etc., up Ludgate Hill. STEAMBOAT PIERS at Westminster, Charing Cross, and Waterloo Bridges, Temple, and Blackfriars Bridge, but, at present, no passenger steamer service.
The Victoria Embankment extends along the left bank of the Thames from Westminster Bridge to (1? miles) Blackfriars Bridge. The first suggestion to embank the Thames here came from Sir Christopher Wren, but this notable improvement was made only in 1864-70 under the supervision of Sir Joseph Bazalgette. The broad roadway, with attractive gardens on its inner side, is protected on the river side by a solid granite wall, 8 feet thick, supported by a concrete foundation, sunk in the bed of the river. The Embankment is traversed by tramways and affords also a pleasant route for those driving or walking from Westminster to the City. Beneath it run the District Railway and two other tunnels, one used for water-pipes, gas-mains, and telegraph wires, and the other for a main intercepting sewer. Rows of plane-trees have been planted on each side.
