News / floating harbour
Rare lifting of Redcliffe Bascule Bridge
“I never knew it did that,” remarked one onlooker as Redcliffe Bascule Bridge remained open to allow a boat to pass underneath it on Sunday afternoon.
Not just any boat either but Bristol’s world famous cider boat, The Apple, following the boaty half of Three Brothers (formerly Spyglass) which had also been floated from Welsh Back into dry dock a couple of hours earlier.
Both vessels are now in dry dock next to the SS Great Britain, with Redcliffe Bascule Bridge returned to its usual closed position.
Redcliffe Bascule Bridge, which connects The Grove and Welsh Back to Redcliffe Way, was built in 1938 and rebuilt in 1942 after being damaged by enemy bombing in the Second World War.
In need of renovation, Bristol City Council’s cabinet has approved £3m for its repairs which are due to begin in 2021 and will likely take around 12 months to complete.
During the repairs, the bridge is likely to be closed completely for up to four months in order to install a new clamping mechanism.
A view of the bridge from Redcliffe Backs, where a ferry operated from 1794 until 1930 – photo: Martin Booth
Redcliffe Bascule Bridge connects Redcliffe to Queen Square – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo and video: Martin Booth
Read more: Taking on the Bristol bridges challenge
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