Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

Helen, for some reason this comes up as 46 ! Also known as Ram Bridge

It matches other pictures I have by Bunney and although it's not exactly the same view, it fits all the information I have for the corner of West Orchard where it goes over the river. As there were 3 bridges in close proximity it might be why the picture is labelled 'Smithford Bridges'.

According to British History Online "[It was] still called Smithford Bridge in 1610, it was also known as Fleet Street Bridge in 1630, and Fleet Bridge in 1636-7. In 1748-9 and 1807 it was called Ram Bridge."

You're an Online Encyclopedia of knowledge Dutchman. Thank you.

Does anyone else think now would be a good idea to remove and as such reopen Smithford Street to allow it to join back up with Fleet Street/Hill Street etc. That redundant building that sits between TJ Hughes and what was SuperFi which blocks it all of does nothing and recreating a 'street' way back through to form an opening again might bring some life back to that part and make the flow through towards Spon Street a lot better. That area is just dead now - especially now the Co-op has gone

Hi Neil, I like that.

I'd rather see them bring C&A back

It always seemed one of the top things for bizarreness, finishing what the nazis started and wiping out the second top street (if it was second) for shopping after Broadgate. I wonder what modern decent nazi-hating Germans would think of doing such a thing?

That's a great idea Neil. That's one of the dingiest areas of the City especially when you look out of the windows in the staircase in T.J. Hughes

Some interesting of the war damage to the Arcade - very clear (from www.alamy.com): Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

Great pictures! I know the bottom one but not the other two. I think these are just free samples, if you bought one the quality would be much higher and 15 or 20mb per picture, or however many it is.

Are 1 and 3 looking towards Smithford Street or the other way do you know Osmiroid?

Neil, I feel very sure they are, they are all facing the same way; note that the Currys shop sign can be in all three.

[copied from "Broadgate" thread] and a (not quite exactly from the same spot) 2010 view

You know something MR. I was looking at the old post card and realised I was looking straight down Smithford Street to St Johns Church in the distance. But then, interrupting my vision was some sort of pole or monument sticking up - ever so high, right in the middle of the street or maybe the centre of Broadgate - does anybody have any information on this? What ran across my mind; was that the reason for the Elephant on the pole? - It could almost be in the same position.