The City of London Corporation has celebrated a Victorian era civil engineer who is credited with slowing deadly cholera outbreaks by naming a new River Thames embankment after him.
The newly named ‘Bazalgette Embankment’ is located alongside Victoria Embankment, to the west of Blackfriars Bridge, and includes a new City Walkway and open space for recreation and leisure activities.
The City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee approved the new name in recognition of civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette who was responsible for the construction of London’s Victorian sewer network.
His blueprint helped clean the River Thames in the late 19th century and is credited with successfully reducing and eliminating cholera epidemics in the capital.
Alastair Moss, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, said:
‘At a time when public health is once again at the forefront of mind, it is only right to recognise the work of someone who once played a crucial role in the well-being of Londoners.
‘The naming of Bazalgette Embankment reflects on the pioneering work of the chief engineer to London’s Metropolitan Board of Works, Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and his creation of a functional sewer system for London.
‘His sewer network has served the capital for more than 150 years and is being extended by Thames Tideway so that it can continue to operate long into the future.’
During consultation with the City Corporation, the Bazalgette family said:
‘It is an honour to see his name getting the credit it deserves as his system is expanded to cope with modern-day London.’
The embankment has been created as part of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project which is expanding London’s sewer network and is due for completion in 2024.
The project will see seven new embankments opened along the River Thames.
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