The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge which spans the Avon Gorge and links Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset, England. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the bridge is a grade I listed building and forms part of the B3129 road.
The idea of building a bridge across the Avon Gorge originated in 1753. The original plans were for a stone bridge, and later plans were for a cast iron structure. An attempt to build Brunel's design in 1831 was stopped by the Bristol Riots, and the revised version of his designs was built after his death, and completed in 1864. Although similar in size, the bridge towers are not identical in design, the Clifton tower having side cut-outs, the Leigh tower more pointed arches atop a 110 feet (34 m) red sandstone clad abutment. Roller mounted "saddles" at the top of each tower allow movement of the three independent wrought iron chains on each side when loads pass over the bridge. The bridge deck is suspended by eighty-one matching vertical wrought-iron rods.
Two men were killed during the bridge's construction; since opening it has gained a reputation as a suicide bridge. It now has plaques that advertise the telephone number of The Samaritans and above the railings on the bridge there are anti-climb barriers.
The bridge is a distinctive landmark, used as a symbol of Bristol on postcards, promotional materials, and informational web sites. It has also been used as a backdrop to several films and television programmes.
Read more about Clifton Suspension Bridge: History, Engineering, Dimensions, Suicides and Accidents, Popular Culture
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