The Order gives effect to a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners relating to the Charity known as the Bridge House Estates. The Charity was established for the maintenance of London Bridge, and was subsequently empowered to maintain and support London Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark Bridge and Tower Bridge.

A new pedestrian bridge known as the Millennium Bridge has been constructed between Saint Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London and Bankside in the London Borough of Southwark. It is desired to transfer ownership and maintenance of the Millennium Bridge to the Charity. This Scheme extends the purposes of the Charity to enable it to so own and maintain the Millennium Bridge.