Clifton Suspension Bridge

Just after finishing my shopping late morning, I got a call to do a job in Bristol. After finishing I made my way to Clifton Suspension Bridge to get a picture I've wanted for a while of the Brunel Bridge. It was pouring with rain and a couple of pictures were spoiled by rain spots.

The bridge is an amazing feat of engineering and I take my hat off to the people who built it. It's incredibly high.

The world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, although he never lived to see his creation finished in 1864.

Work actually began in 1831, but the project was dogged with political and financial difficulties, and by 1843, with only the towers completed, the project was abandoned. Brunel died aged only 53 in 1859, but the Clifton Suspension Bridge was completed as his memorial. Designed in the early 19th century for light horse drawn traffic, it still meets the demands of 21st century commuter with 11-12,000 vehicles crossing it every day. The Clifton Suspension Bridge’s spectacular setting on the cliffs of the Avon Gorge has made it the defining symbol of Bristol, drawing thousands of visitors a year just to stroll across for views of the ancient Avon Gorge, elegant Clifton and the magnificent city beyond.

The bridge is 1351 ft long, 31ft wide, 245ft above high water, and the span is 702 ft.