The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spans the Avon Gorge, and has become one of the symbols of the city of Bristol. For almost 150 years this Grade I listed structure has attracted visitors from all over the world.
The bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1831, but not completed until 1864, 5 years after his death. The long delays were caused by political unrest and lack of funds.
The 85 ft (26 m) tall Leigh Woods tower stands atop a 110 ft (33 m) red sandstone clad abutment. It is not a solid structure & contains 12 vaulted chambers up to 35 ft (11 m) high, linked by shafts and tunnels. Although similar in size, the bridge towers are not identical in construction, the Clifton tower having side cut-outs, the Leigh tower more pointed arches. Brunel's original plan proposed they be topped with then-fashionable sphinxes, but the ornaments were never constructed.
The bridge has three independent wrought iron chains per side, from which the bridge deck is suspended by eighty-one matching vertical wrought iron rods ranging from 65 ft (20 m) at the ends to 3 ft (0.9 m) in the centre. Composed of numerous parallel rows of eyebars connected by bolts, the chains are anchored in tunnels in the rocks 60 ft (17 m) below ground level at the side of the gorge. The deck was originally laid with wooden planking, later covered with asphalt.
Roller mounted "saddles" are employed at the top of each tower to allow movement of the chains when loads pass over the bridge. Though their total travel is minuscule, their ability to absorb forces created by chain deflection prevents damage to both tower and chain.
Our first cache here received 772 finds and 23 favourites in 3 1/2 years before being muggled. We hope this v2 is just as successful.