Fleet Street Hill

Fleet Street Hill was a small cobbled road joining Allen Gardens with Cheshire Street. The Victorian railway bridge and arch had the ability to immediately conjure up an atmosphere suggesting Victorian London, danger and darkness. The railway arch, much abused by car thieves, film makers, prostitutes, and heroin addicts, even had its own acoustic.

Concrete structure adjacent to the Railway line from the East into Liverpool Street, 2003

The concrete structure on four legs had become an iconic marker on the Spitalfields horizon before it was demolished a few years ago.

Tree & Railway structure viewed from Spitalfields Farm, 1987

The Great Eastern Railway Company built the viaduct to the right of this railway arch (below). It was once a haven for vagrants and I do believe that Don McCullin photographed there in the 1960’s. As you walk under the bridge you feel as if you are walking into a time tunnel; moving towards the other side always felt like a bit of a mystery. This was not related to the possibility of being mugged or disturbing a couple engaged in sex on the steps up the bridge. If I was ever to be transported somewhere by aliens or a Tower Hamlets Council enforcement officer then it would happen here.

Hazuan approaches Fleet Street Hill bridge at night, 2003

This image formed part of a tryptic which hangs on our studio wall waiting for another home.

Hazuan approaches the stairs at Fleet Street Hill, 2003

The stoned digital ambiance of darkness (above) gives way to Hazuan captured on  stoical black and white film (below) in 1998.

Hazuan approaching the steps of the bridge at Fleet Street Hill, 1997

Looking back towards the imposing concrete structure (below) a boy walks towards the photographer as he approaches Cheshire Street via the bridge.

Boy walks over bridge, Spitalfields 1988

Three people cross a bridge, Spitalfields 1984

Looking down from the bridge towards Cheshire Street (below) traders of second hand goods and their stalls are visible.

View from the top of a bridge, Spitalfields 1984