Suspension bridge to close for refurbishment

The repairs will help conserve the famous bridge "for many years to come"

A number of closures are planned on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in August as refurbishment works continue.

The bridge will be closed to traffic from 19:00 BST on Friday 2 August to 07:00 BST on Monday 5 August and on Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August from 18:00 BST until midnight, when it is also shut to pedestrians because of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Bridgemaster Trish Johnson said occasional road closures are needed "to conserve the bridge for many years to come".

She said: "During these closures we will be undertaking excavations in the road to install cables, erecting scaffolding, jet-washing the historic ironwork, and painting the chains from the roadway.

"We will also take advantage of the closure to carry out general maintenance."

Throughout the 2-5 August weekend, a diversion route will be signed using Bridge Valley Road, Brunel Way and the A369 Rownham Hill.

People have been urged to plan ahead, especially if they are attending evening events at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August when the bridge will be closed to pedestrians as well as drivers.

Evening closures during the fiesta first started 20 years ago after concerns the landmark could suffer structural stresses due to the volume of pedestrian traffic

“A crowd of pedestrians on the roadway of the bridge creates a far greater loading than normal car traffic and this could cause damage to the bridge and injury to its users,” explained Mrs Johnson.

“We have agreed with the event organisers that to ensure the safety of the public and the bridge, the bridge should be closed for the Friday and Saturday evenings.

“Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust wishes to apologise for the inconvenience which these closures will cause. We hope that by keeping the road open during weekdays we will minimise the disruption caused," she added.