Clifton Suspension Bridge
Bristol acquired its iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge thanks to the vision, innovation and determination of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his supporters.
In 1754, merchant William Vick left £1000 (about £135,000 today) with instructions that the money should be invested to build a bridge across the Avon Gorge. Seventy-seven years later, it had earned enough interest to pay for one and a competition was launched to find a design in 1829. Thomas Telford, the most prominent bridge engineer of his day and competition judge, dismissed all four of Brunel's entries and tried to promote his own design instead. Telford said it was technically impossible to build a suspension bridge with a span of more than 183 metres, which ruled out all of Brunel's designs as they had spans upwards of 231. Telford's own design was a modest 122 metres but the public disliked it. Telford was dismissed and a new competition launched in which Brunel was initially awarded second prize but then won when he persuaded the judges to change their minds.
Work commenced in 1831 but was shelved until 1836 for political and financial reasons. Further difficulties arose and by 1843, with only two towers complete, the bridge was abandoned again. Brunel died in 1859 but a company was formed and long-time supporter, Christopher Claxton, obtained an Act of Parliament, which authorised the bridge's completion and allowed tolls to be charged to pay for and maintain it. It finally opened in 1864.
In 1754, merchant William Vick left £1000 (about £135,000 today) with instructions that the money should be invested to build a bridge across the Avon Gorge. Seventy-seven years later, it had earned enough interest to pay for one and a competition was launched to find a design in 1829. Thomas Telford, the most prominent bridge engineer of his day and competition judge, dismissed all four of Brunel's entries and tried to promote his own design instead. Telford said it was technically impossible to build a suspension bridge with a span of more than 183 metres, which ruled out all of Brunel's designs as they had spans upwards of 231. Telford's own design was a modest 122 metres but the public disliked it. Telford was dismissed and a new competition launched in which Brunel was initially awarded second prize but then won when he persuaded the judges to change their minds.
Work commenced in 1831 but was shelved until 1836 for political and financial reasons. Further difficulties arose and by 1843, with only two towers complete, the bridge was abandoned again. Brunel died in 1859 but a company was formed and long-time supporter, Christopher Claxton, obtained an Act of Parliament, which authorised the bridge's completion and allowed tolls to be charged to pay for and maintain it. It finally opened in 1864.