Features / Cumberland Basin
Cumberland Basin braces for change
The Cumberland Basin’s murky water and concrete jungle of roads have been a constant for Hotwells residents since 1965 when the scheme officially opened.
But the area could look very different in the coming years, with a “masterplan” for the so-called Western Harbour redevelopment finally being drawn up that could see new roads and potentially thousands of homes being built on its banks.
Bristol24/7 photographer Rob Browne captures the Cumberland Basin as it braces for change.
is needed now More than ever
The Cumberland Basin is the entrance to the Floating Harbour from the west
The area is home to a complex web of roads, staircases and underpasses
This area could look very different in years to come
Warehouses were constructed close to Cumberland Basin to meet the demands of the tobacco import boom of the early 20th century
The body of water is used for the swimming leg of Bristol Triathlon
The Cumberland Basin scheme was constructed between February 1963 and April 1965
The little grey building overlooking Brunel Way is the control room for Plimsoll Swing Bridge below
The overall cost of construction of the scheme was £2,650,000
Junction swing bridge on Merchants Road was built in 1925
March saw the highest high tide seen in Bristol in recent years Cumberland Basin
This is an unedited version of the article that originally appeared in the July/ August edition of the Bristol24/7 magazine, which is being distributed across Bristol from next week
All photos: Rob Browne
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