Gaol Ferry Bridge

Gaol Ferry Bridge is a footbridge in Bristol, England, that crosses the New Cut of the River Avon. It is an ornate steel lattice suspension bridge with timber decking, with a span of nearly 60 m (200 ft).^[1]

Gaol Ferry Bridge
Coordinates	51°26′45″N 2°35′58″W
Carries	Pedestrians and cyclists
Crosses	New Cut of the River Avon
Locale	Bristol
Owner	Bristol City Council
Preceded by	Bedminster Old Bridge
Followed by	Vauxhall Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Suspension
Material	Steel
Pier construction	Stone
No. of spans	Single
History
Construction end	1935
Replaces	Ferry
Location

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Perspective

History

The bridge opened in 1935, replacing a ferry which crossed the New Cut near the old Bristol prison, known as the New Gaol. Unlike the Vauxhall Bridge downstream, the Gaol Ferry Bridge is a fixed bridge with no provision for the navigation of vessels unable to pass under it. However, by the 1930s, there was little navigation on the New Cut, and Vauxhall Bridge was last swung in 1936.^[1][2][3]

Repairs

The bridge closed for repairs in 2023

Repair work on the bridge began in December 2021 with the bridge remaining open. At the time, it was expected that the bridge would close in January 2022 for around three months.^[4] On 5 August 2022, it was announced that the bridge would close on 22 August for repair work to take place.^[1] The work is expected to take between six and nine months and cost in the region of £1 million.^[5] As of February 2023, the repair work has been extended by at least three months, due to the bridge being in worse condition than originally thought.^[6] The bridge reopened on 8 September 2023.^[7]

References

1. "Gaol Ferry Bridge restoration". Bristol City Council. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
2. "VAUXHALL BRIDGE, Non Civil Parish - 1202162 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
3. "A brief history". Friends of the Avon New Cut. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
4. Cork, Tristan (9 December 2021). "Key footbridge across River Avon to close for months". BristolLive. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
5. "Gaol Ferry Bridge closes for between six and nine months for repairs". www.bristolworld.com. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
6. "Gaol Ferry Bridge restoration". Bristol City Council. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
7. Booth, Martin (9 September 2023). "Hundreds join Gaol Ferry Bridge reopening party". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 9 September 2023.