Fears for future of Brunel’s ‘other’ bridge

Heritage campaigners are fighting the removal of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s only abandoned structure in Bristol from its original location.

The Grade II*-listed swivel bridge, also known as Brunel’s Other Bridge, is older than the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It was designed in 1849 to carry traffic over the new South Entrance Lock in the Cumberland Basin.

Unused and unloved underneath Plimsoll Bridge, the dilapidated bridge is looked after by a dedicated team of volunteers but is on English Heritage’s Buildings at Risk Register.

Those volunteers have now started a petititon to keep the bridge in its current location while the team at the SS Great Britian draw up plans to move it to the Albion Dockyard as part of an ambitious new project, the centrepiece of which will be the recreation of a full-size version of Brunel’s first ship, the paddle steamer Great Western.

A petition has been started to ask Bristol City Council to refuse planning permission to remove the swivel bridge, also asking the council to restore the bridge, neighbouring lock and other historic features to form the focus of the so-called Western Harbour development.

Brunel’s swivel bridge is currently partly hidden underneath Plimsoll Bridge

Brunel Swivel Bridge Group chairman, Geoff Wallis, says that there a number of reasons why the bridge should not be allowed to be moved.

In an email to supporters, he wrote that “the removal would risk damage to the weakened structure”.

“The move will be financially risky, and will remove the option of restoring the structure as a much-needed low-level pedestrian crossing over the Entrance Lock in place of the existing hazardous lockgate walkway.

“Worse still, this most visible of heritage asset at the entrance to the Floating Harbour will be lost. There will then be no reason to desilt and display Brunel’s magnificent Lock which is nearby, and eventually all these assets may be abandoned and be lost too.

“Master Planning for the new Western Harbour Development is currently underway, and these ‘three graces’ (Brunel’s Lock, Swivel Bridge and Replica Bridge) are part of Bristol’s identity.

“These Grade 2* Listed buildings are in the top 6% most important buildings in England, and can form an excellent focus for the new development. They would be the envy of many European cities.

CIL monies from the Western Harbour scheme will pay for their restoration and display, so we invite you to sign our petition requesting Bristol City Council to refuse planning permission to move the Swivel Bridge to Albion Dockyard; (and) restore Brunel’s Lock, Swivel Bridge and the other heritage assets in the area to form the proud focus of the new Western Harbour development.”

The hydraulic system which powered the opening of the swivel bridge ran on fresh water supplied by a pressurised water system in Underfall Yard

Responding to the petition, a spokesperson from the SS Great Britain Trust told Bristol24/7: “The Swivel Bridge is a significant historic Brunel structure of which all Bristol should be proud.

“It is deteriorating rapidly and so the SS Great Britain Trust, in partnership with other key organisations, is currently considering what are the realistic options available to save and restore the bridge.

“The priority is to ensure its survival for future generations to celebrate our history. This is part of the Trust’s wider Albion Dockyard project.

“Wide ranging consultations have been undertaken for this project, and the next opportunity for the public to get involved will be in July.”

The swivel bridge is Brunel’s first large rotating wrought iron opening bridge and is older than the Clifton Suspension Bridge

All photos: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Former electrical power house becomes Bristol’s latestlisted building
• Could Brunel’s ‘other’ bridge be brought back into use?
• Brunel’s Great Western to be recreated in working dry dock

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