The famous Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol was closed on 8 December for maintenance. By coincidence, that date is also the 158th of the landmark bridge.
The famous Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol was closed on 8 December for maintenance and inspection, New Civil Engineer reports. By coincidence, that date is also the 158th anniversary of the landmark bridge, which was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It spans the Avon Gorge and River Avon, to link Bristol to North Somerset.
Engineers inspected the weighbeams on each side of the bridge, and repairs were carried out on the stonework of the toll house. The bridge is usually in operation 24/7, with a £1 crossing toll for vehicles, and no charge for cyclists or pedestrians. The condition of the Grade I listed structure is carefully monitored by structural engineers.
Clifton Suspension Bridge master Trish Johnson said: “We have some maintenance to carry out on our weighbeams which monitor the weight of vehicles crossing the bridge, so they are very important.
She added: “We will also take advantage of the closure to repair some stonework on the Toll House, which was damaged by a car, install scaffolding for works to the tower roof tops and to carry out lighting works.”
“During these bridge closures pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge, using one of the footways but there will be no access for vehicles and cycling will be prohibited. Cyclists may dismount and walk across the bridge, but due to the narrow footways, are requested to avoid using the bridge if possible.”
According to the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, the structure is one of the oldest surviving iron bridges in the world. It took 33 years to complete, with the designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel being just 24 when he was appointed to the project. It opened in 1864, and is now a major tourist attraction for the city.
The vehicle toll revenue goes towards the maintenance of the bridge, which is regarded as one of the world’s greatest feats of engineering.
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