two footbridges. The bridge was formally opened on 19 May 1894 by the then Duke of York (who later became King George V), having cost £61,000 (). Richmond Lock is a half-tide lock and (half-tide) barrage which incorporates a public footbridge. The footbridge crosses the conventional lock, the barrages and the slipway, which comprises three vertical steel sluice gates suspended from the footbridge structure. Each sluice gate weighs 32 tons, is in width and in depth. The lock permits passage of vessels up to long by 26 feet 8 inches wide. For about two hours each side of the published time of high tide the three sluice gates are raised into the footbridge supports above, and river traffic can pass through the barrage unimpeded. For the rest of the tidal cycle sluice gates are lowered – ships and boats must use the lock alongside the barrage at a cost of . Rowing boats and kayaks can use the roller solid slipways which reach an apex above the height of the barrages. The maximum fall of the lock is . Historic operation The sluice gates were manually operated by lock keepers, who lived in housing mostly contained under the pedestrian steps and landing on both banks. From the date of the bridge's opening until some time during World War II, pedestrians were charged a toll of one (old) penny, i.e. of a pound. However, sightseers who went onto the bridge and left from the same side had to pay tuppence (two old pence, of a pound). The toll booths and the remains of the turnstile housings remain. Since two unconnected footbridges exist, one either side of the sluice-gate-holding brickwork and mechanisms, four toll booths and turnstiles had to be provided to collect the tolls. See also Locks on the River Thames Crossings of the River Thames List of bridges in London References Sources https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004536/http://www.thames-tideway.co.uk/richlock.shtm http://www.victorianlondon.org/ql/queenslondon105.htm External links Richmond Lock (Tour UK) The Richmond Society Richmond Local History Society 1894 establishments in England Bridges completed in 1894 Former toll bridges in England Grade II* listed bridges in England Grade II* listed buildings in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Locks of London Locks on the River Thames Pedestrian bridges across the River Thames Pedestrian bridges in London Richmond, London Tidal barrages Tourist attractions in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Transport in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames