News / Cumberland Basin
Could Brunel’s ‘other’ bridge be brought back into use?
Older than the Clifton Suspension Bridge which towers in the distance beyond it, for its custodians Brunel’s ‘other’ bridge is no less significant than its more illustrious younger sibling.
The swing bridge at the entrance to the Floating Harbour celebrates its 170th birthday this year, but since 2011 has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register and is Bristol’s only abandoned Brunel structure.
Since 1968 when it was decommissioned following the the construction of the new Cumberland Basin road system, it has remained in its ‘open’ position in the shadow of Plimsoll Bridge above it.
is needed now More than ever
But Historic England is now helping to fund the repair of the bridge with a grant of £62,000, and two days of celebrations and hands-on activities will mark the occasion and the anniversary.
Brunel’s swing bridge lies in the shadow of Plimsoll Bridge – which could be removed as part of the city council’s Western Harbour development
Built to take traffic over Brunel’s new lock at Cumberland Basin, the swing bridge became operational in October 1849.
It was Brunel’s first large wrought iron opening bridge and the stovepipe-hatted engineer was closely involved in its design and construction.
Following its decommissioning it came close to being scrapped and in recent years a committed team of volunteers have been working to save the grade II* listed structure.
Geoff Wallis, director of Avon Industrial Buildings Trust (AIBT) and technical lead on the project, said: “We are proud of this fascinating but little-known Brunel work. We want people to experience the bridge first-hand and to see the conservation challenges it is facing.”
Over the weekend of September 7 and 8 from 10am to 4pm, as well as blacksmithing, riveting, metal stamping and even the chance to lift the 70-foot, 68-tonne structure.
The long-term goal is to bring the bridge back into use, with the AIBT wanting to see it restored as a working part of Bristol’s cityscape and a public crossing point.
For more information, visit www.brunelsotherbridge.org.uk
Between 1872 and 1873 the bridge was shortened and relocated to its present position over the North Entrance Lock (also known as Howard’s Lock)
Read more: Three options revealed for Western Harbour development
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