4 Bridges

There are 4 bridges on this image. It is taken at the end of Bristol Docks, looking downriver towards the river Avon and Avon Gorge.

In the distance you can see the Clifton suspension bridge, designed by Isambard Brunel.

Closer to us are the modern vertical railings of a pedestrian foot bridge.

The large heavy curved surface with the rivets is another bridge I have been told is by Isambard Brunel, but it is less dramatic and therefore neglected and in need of renovation. Its crossing surface is made of wood which is rotting away, as the bridge is not used any more. Bristol takes very poor care of the remains of its ancient and historic docks. Most Bristol people do not know this bridge is part of Brunels work.

The most famous view of the Clifton suspension bridge is from this area and direction.

Bristol has recently ripped out the older dock gates and historic machinery to replace them with modern designs. Now there are large ugly ultra modern corrugated metal sheds ruining the panoramic view of the gorge and Clifton bridge. Bristol has never taken good care of the planning of this area, but instead of learning and doing better, they are making it even worse.

The fourth bridge is the shadow overhead. It is the Plimsoll Bridge, named after Samuel Plimsoll who invented the Plimsoll line, painted on the sides of ships to improve safety for crews and vessels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Plimsoll

The house at the end of that row also has an interesting story, but I will tell that another time.