Restrictions on bridge that needs urgent repairs

An inspection found that Pero's Bridge has several "major structural issues" that to be fixed urgently

Weight and movement restrictions are in place on a city-centre bridge which is in need of urgent repair work.

An inspection carried out on Pero's Bridge in Bristol in July found several "major structural issues" that require "urgent attention" on the crossing, which was built in 1999 and links Queen Square and Millenium Square.

Bristol City Council is now seeking approval to reallocate £200,000 and delay work on the Frome Culvert project to fund the emergency work, with the authority saying further funding will be "necessary" to complete the job.

In its current state, the bridge cannot be lifted and loads weighing more than one tonne are unable to use the structure.

The council is also in the process of removing padlocks which were attached to the railings as romantic gestures, to reduce additional pressure on the bridge.

A batch of the locks - which collectively weighed up to three tonnes - were removed about a decade ago, but thousands more have since been added by members of the public.

The bridge is named after Pero Jones, who was enslaved in Bristol in the 18th Century

Although the council's 2025/26 budget has already been approved, officers are hoping to reallocate some of the money due to the urgency of the work required on the bridge.

"This immediate action helps to mitigate the risk of further deterioration and potential health and safety hazards," a report outlining the plans said.

It also said further capital requests will be "necessary" to complete the repair work, which introduces "uncertainty regarding the total financial commitment required and the availability of funds".

The council said all funding opportunities including grants and external funding will be explored to limit borrowing costs and other projects will be assessed as part of the 2026/27 budget setting process.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills, and Harbour Committees, said: "Weight restrictions and a ban on lifting remain in place due to concerns about over-loading of the structure and impacts on the bridge's swing mechanism caused by the presence of the locks."

He added that once all the locks have been removed, structural condition surveys will be carried out, including a test lift to assess its overall condition and determine what repairs are needed.