News / Kingsweston
Iron bridge attracting international attention
One of Bristol’s best loved historic footbridges has recently caught international attention after having been fully restored.
Kingsweston Iron Bridge is currently at first place in the best example of a restored historic bridge on the Bridgehunter’s Chronicles website.
The site is the brainchild of an American blogger and bridge enthusiast Jason D Smith. Its focus is historic bridges and drawing attention to those in danger. It has been following the story of the bridge over Kings Weston Road since it was closed to walkers in 2015.
is needed now More than ever
The Grade II listed bridge was built around 1820 by notable Scottish civil engineer John Loudon McAdam, famous for inventing ‘macadamisation’ – the process from which tarmac developed.
In 2015, the bridge was damaged by an unidentified lorry, leaving Bristol City Council with an expensive repair bill. Shrouded in scaffolding for nine years it was finally restored in 2024 at a cost of £1.1m after a campaign by locals.
The bridge shrouded in scaffolding before being removed for repair. Photo – Janet Poole
In what became a very drawn out process, several different solutions for restoring and protecting the bridge were discussed, complicated by its listed status.
Ideas included lowering the road or erecting goal post structures on the approaches.
One proposal to make the bridge accessible by providing ramps on either side was rejected by Historic England, angering local disability campaigners.
Kingsweston Bridge on the day of its return – photo: Bob Pitchford
During the restoration the whole structure was removed from site and painstakingly repaired by specialists Dorothea Restorations who have also worked on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Repairs included having to create replica parts for some of the damaged bridge. The whole structure was then raised by one metre to prevent it from being struck again.
Restored and resplendent in a new coat of heritage green paint it reopened in 2024. It now provides a much needed safe crossing point for the busy Kings Weston Road and reconnects a well used footpath between the Blaise and Kingsweston estates.
Mary Milton is reporting on Sea Mills as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo: Mary Milton
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