Suspension bridge fireworks to go ahead

Organisers of the fireworks display to celebrate 150 years of the Clifton Suspension Bridge have decided to go ahead with the event, despite the discovery of the bodies of a mother and her newborn baby nearby.

One of the biggest fireworks displays the city has seen has been planned to mark the anniversary of the opening of the famous bridge in 1864. Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather to view the event. 

But the tragic deaths of Charlotte Bevan and her baby daughter Zaani, whose bodies were found on Wednesday night and later on Thursday afternoon in the Avon Gorge,  had led to calls to postpone the event.

Trustees at the suspension bridge meeting today though have said the event will go ahead, but only after a minute’s “quiet reflection”. 

“Over the last 48 hours, Trustees have carefully reviewed the suitability of holding a celebratory firework display so soon after the tragic death of Charlotte Bevan and her baby daughter Zaani just a short distance from the bridge,” they said. 

“Having thought very deeply about this, it is felt that the planned event should go ahead.

“The loss of Charlotte and Zaani, as well others who have previously died in the Avon Gorge, will be marked by a minute of quiet and reflection prior to the start of the firework display at 7pm.

“We will set up a collection with the proceeds going to a charity, which we hope to discuss with Charlotte’s family at an appropriate time.”

Here is everything you need to know about the event on Sunday.

Sunday 7th December

Nearest train station: Clifton Down

Road Closures:
08.00 – 22.00
The Bridge and Suspension Bridge Road will be closed to all roadway traffic (vehicles, cyclists, horses). Cyclists will be allowed to wheel bicycles along footways, but will not be able to ride them on the Bridge during this time.

16.30-22.00
(A4) Portway, Hotwell Road, Cumberland Basin Road, Bennett Way, Bridge Valley Road and Brunel Lock Road closed to vehicles. Access for residents will only be possible from Sulvan Way. Exit via Riverleaze/Roman Way.

17.00 – 21.00
The Bridge will be closed to pedestrians due to health and safety reasons.

17.30-22.00
Brunel Way, Bristol Gate, Jessop Underpass, Humphry Davy Way, McAdam Way and Clifton House Road closed to vehicles.

18.00-21.00
Sion Hill will be closed to vehicles.

Fireworks Sunday evening:

The firework celebration is free, with no tickets on sale. Members of the public can just turn up and watch. The display will begin at 19.00 and will last approximately ten minutes.

The Portway under the Suspension Bridge will be closed to pedestrians from 18.00-20.00 for safety reasons.

Monday 8th December
Monday is the anniversary and it will be marked with a procession providing a re-enactment of the procession that launched the Bridge in 1864.

The procession will begin from the Clifton side of the Bridge on Suspension Bridge Road and end at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre.

Timing:
2:30 – the Bridge and surrounding roads closed to vehicular traffic.
2:45-3:00 – the procession assembles at the Clifton end of the Bridge.
3:00 – the procession moves off.
3:20 – the procession arrives at the Bridge Maintenance Yard.
4:00 – the Bridge reopens to vehicular traffic.