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Things you probably didn’t know about the Banana Bridge
We all know it as the Banana Bridge, but its official name is Langton Street Bridge, named after Langton Street which was destroyed after the Second World War and used to be on the north side of the New Cut running towards St Mary Redcliffe Church.
The bowstring truss bridge was designed by borough engineer Mr Ashmead and built by Edward Finch & Co of Chepstow for £1,800.
Its restoration is due to cost up to £2m, which is being funded by the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
The Banana Bridge crosses the New Cut next to St Mary Redcliffe School – photo: Griffiths
The footbridge was originally located a few hundred yards downstream as a temporary replacement for Bedminster Bridge while a new one was being built.
After Bedminster Bridge was completed, on the morning of February 26 1884 the Banana Bridge was floated into its current position on four 80-tonne barges with 23-foot high timber scaffolding frames on top of them using the rising and falling tide.
It is believed to have earned its nickname of the Banana Bridge before the council decided to paint its steelwork yellow.
The steps on both sides of the bridge will remain after the refurbishment is complete after English Heritage noted that accessible ramps would cause harm to the Grade II-listed structure.
With thanks to the book ‘From Brycgstow to Bristol in 45 Bridges’ by Jeff Lucas and the Pedestrian Diversions channel on YouTube
Main photo: Martin Booth
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