Editing Chelsea Bridge (section)

=== Temporary wartime bridge ===

Two years after the bridge's opening the [[Second World War]] broke out. Because of their close proximity to [[Chelsea Barracks]] it was expected that enemy bombers would target the three road bridges in the area, and a temporary bridge was built parallel to Chelsea Bridge. As with the four other temporary Thames bridges built in this period, it was built of steel girders supported by wooden stakes; however, despite its flimsy appearance it was a sturdy structure, capable of supporting [[tank]]s and other heavy military equipment.{{sfn|Cookson|2006|p=137}} As it turned out, no enemy action took place in the area, and all three bridges survived the war undamaged. The temporary bridge was dismantled in 1945.{{sfn|Cookson|2006|p=137}}