Diverted drivers won’t be charged to enter the Clean Air Zone
Clifton Suspension Bridge(Image: Bristol Live)
Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to all road users, including cyclists, this weekend to allow for essential repair works to take place. The closure will last all weekend, from 7pm on Friday, July 25 until 7am on Monday, July 28.
Diversions will be in place for vehicles along Bridge Valley Road, Brunel Way and the A369 Rownham Hill.
Any drivers following the official diversion route will be temporarily exempt from Bristol City Council’s Clean Air Zone. Bridge Master Trish Johnson said the closure was essential to keep the iconic bridge open and working long into the future.
The July closure is the second of the summer, after similar works also took place over a weekend in May. “As part of this project to conserve the bridge for many years to come, we need to schedule occasional road closures to carry out works safely,” Ms Johnson said in a statement on the Clifton Suspension bridge website.
“During these closures our contractor, Taziker, will be undertaking scaffolding works, preparation works to the chains and painting the chains from the roadway. We will also take advantage of the closure to conduct inspections and general maintenance.”
Pedestrians are still permitted to use the bridge this weekend, but there will be limited space available while works take place. “During these bridge closures pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge, but cycling will be prohibited,” Ms Johnson said.
“Cyclists may dismount and walk across the bridge, but as only one narrow footway will be open, cyclists are requested to avoid using the bridge if possible.
“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.”
The bridge is also set to be fully closed for two evenings on August 8 and 9 during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. That closure is necessary due to the huge amount of pedestrian traffic which occurs during the festival, which could place a massive amount of stress on the 150-year-old structure.