The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust has appointed us as the main contractor for the replacement toll houses project.
The new toll houses will provide a compact, modern working environment for the Bridge attendants with the necessary spaces, amenities and facilities to enable them to operate effectively 24/7 and 365 days of the year. They will replace the existing outdated 1950s toll booths on the Clifton side of the Bridge and the 1970s addition to the original toll houses on the Leigh Woods side. The original Victorian toll houses on the Leigh Woods approach will be retained and carefully refurbished.
We have been awarded the contract to replace the three outdated toll houses with new sensitively designed stone buildings and to refurbish the original Victorian toll houses. Construction is due to start on the seven-month building programme on 2 January with project completion planned for Summer 2019.
The first major milestone will be the demolition of the existing toll houses which is due to take place over the weekend of 19/20 January 2019. This will involve the closure of the bridge to traffic and cyclists from Saturday 19 January 8.00hrs until Sunday 20 January 18.00hrs. Pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge and cyclists may dismount and walk across the bridge. A diversion route will be signed, using Bridge Valley Road, Brunel Way and A369 Rownham Hill.
During the construction period, works will be phased around peak commuter periods to minimise traffic disruption. Temporary traffic control will be in place which will involve occasional lane closures while works are being carried out. These will be publicised in advance with the company working closely with the Trust and neighbouring councils to minimise any impact to bridge users. It is intended that pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles will continue to be able to cross the bridge.
Trish Johnson, Bridge Master said: “The bridge is a Grade I-listed structure and 153 years old, which requires ongoing work to make sure it can continue to operate effectively and meet modern day needs. This is an exciting project that will both improve the setting of the bridge and provide better working conditions for our attendants, who do a fantastic job as curators of the bridge, round the clock and in all weathers. The build will however be a challenging time for pedestrians and traffic. We will do everything we can to help minimise the impact on users and our neighbours during the construction period and ask everyone to bear with us over the coming months.”
Notes to Editors:
Planning and Listed Building consents for the toll house project were granted by Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council last September.
The simple, functional and contemporary design of the new toll houses is intentionally understated and subservient to Brunel’s iconic Grade1 listed structure. The architectural treatment of the new buildings responds to the material quality and strong symmetry of the bridge towers using stone and raking facades which reflect the rubble finish and angle of the existing bridge towers and enhance the views of the bridge. The palette of materials combines a rough-hewn pennant sandstone, from the Forest of Dean, with zinc for the roofs and fascia and contrasting dark metal reveals and panels lining the window openings.
The bridge is a Grade I-listed structure and 153 years old, which requires ongoing work to make sure it can continue to operate effectively and meet modern day needs. This is an exciting project that will both improve the setting of the bridge and provide better working conditions for our attendants, who do a fantastic job as curators of the bridge, round the clock and in all weathers.
The build will however be a challenging time for pedestrians and traffic. We will do everything we can to help minimise the impact on users and our neighbours during the construction period and ask everyone to bear with us over the coming months.
For media enquiries relating to the Clifton Suspension Bridge please contact:
Trish Johnson, Bridge Master, Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust Tel: 0117 973 1579
