News / Gaol Ferry Bridge
Tunnel to replace Gaol Ferry Bridge
First there was a ferry. Then there was a bridge. Now a tunnel is due to be constructed underneath the New Cut between Coronation Road and Cumberland Road.
As well as providing a much-needed crossing from Southville to the city centre, the tunnel will be the first major test of Bristol’s grand ambitions for an underground railway network.
Bristol24/7 understands that Gaol Ferry Bridge Tunnel will be built wide enough to enable trains to run along it in the future, but will originally only cater for pedestrians and cyclists, “using the concept of shared space that has proved so successful in the city centre” according to its engineers.
Because of a lack of space for ramps, however, lifts on either side of the New Cut will carry people down to the tunnel.
Access on the Wapping Wharf side will be through a converted shipping container.
Plans are yet to be decided for access on the Southville side but discussions have already taken place to use a tunnel already under Coronation Road.
There is already a disused tunnel under Coronation Road – photo: Martin Booth
News of the proposed tunnel comes just weeks after a tunnelling expert said that digging tunnels for the planned Bristol underground railway network would be “relatively easy”.
It also comes as Gaol Ferry Bridge remains closed for repairs and is not likely to reopen until August at the earliest.
If Gaol Ferry Bridge Tunnel is a success, other test tunnels are likely to be built.
The cross-harbour ferry between the SS Great Britain and the Harbour Inlet could be replaced by a tunnel, while the Banana Bridge could be replaced by a curved Banana Tunnel.
Underground expert Bulgaria Coburg said that Gaol Ferry Bridge Tunnel “is a perfect example of Bristol as a city that gets things done”.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- The gaol ferry that was here before Gaol Ferry Bridge
- Tunnelling for Bristol underground ‘relatively easy’
- Gaol Ferry Bridge likely to be closed for another three months
- Metro mayor’s ‘lack of ambition’ on Bristol underground ‘staggering’
- Rees weighs up advantages of underground versus trams
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