Brunel Swivel BridgeBrunel's Other Bridge

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Brunel Swivel Bridge Project 2026

2026

Workdays for 2026 as follows:


Please check the website for late changes.

Tasks for 2026


Can you help us with these tasks? Email Geoff Wallis (jandgwallis@gmail.com) if you can help.

BRUNEL SWIVEL BRIDGE, CUMBERLAND BASIN, Bristol BS1 6XS Come and help out or just join in and enjoy yourself. Watch this website for further details.

Sounds like fun? No experience needed, all equipment provided, and you'll get really involved in helping to save Brunel's Other Bridge. We need your help.

We start at 9.30am so do please join us if you can. We provide free tea and coffee, so why not bring a picnic lunch? There is plenty of parking space and basic toilets are available. Please wear stout footwear, and you might like to bring overalls, gloves and something to kneel on. We have gloves, high-vis vest and a helmet you can borrow, and we provide tea and coffee!

Youngsters are welcome provided their guardians are with them full time please.

Contact Geoff Wallis (jandgwallis@gmail.com) if you wish to help.
We need to have an idea of numbers.

February 2026

After a long spell of rain we were fortunate to start this year's workdays on 21st February with dry weather. Ten volunteers attended, including three new friends, Chris and Gill Godden and Richard Tyers. Chris Burson strimmed the winter weeds, John, Andy and Richard vanquished graffiti, Bob continued his survey work, whilst Peter and Howard sorted through a vast pile of timber the City Council had offered to us. These redundant 12 inch square softwood baulks were mostly rotten, but we found some sound ones for use when jacking up the Bridge. These we towed out with Geoff's car and to storage under the deck. We had a useful 'catch-up' meeting reviewing the considerable progress made over the winter by the CIO, and enthused about wider plans for a BOB-sponsored Heritage Hub. So, watch this space !

See the photos February 2026

March 2026


On a sunny Saturday we were delighted that ten volunteers and three visitors attended. Retired conservation architect Bruce Induni came up for Tounton to share the day with us, whilst Sheila Hannon and Julien Weston from local theatre 'Show of Strength' joined Bruce for an interesting tour of the heritage features on and around the Knuckle. Our volunteers moved more large timbers donated by Bristol City for future refurbishment projects, whilst Chris from Warminster and his friends vanquished weeds. Howard and Peter fitted several new timber strakes to Brunel Lock winch, whilst new volunteers Tia and Sabine, both Bristol University students, focussed on renewing the protective coverings on the bearings of a wheel designed by Brunel in 1849 but now 'retired' and stored under the deck. Thank you for all your hard work folks!

See the photos March 2026

June 2026


Twelve willing volunteers attended our workday on Saturday 20th June and there was a real buzz of excitement as we continued our usual maintenance work, and started a new phase. We placed timber blocks part way along the overhanging end of the deck, and jacked up the tail end to relieve the weight on the turntable ready for a contractor to drill out the adjuster. Two 50 tonne hydraulic jacks were used to raise the heavy counterbalance weight, which was then supported on timber blocks.
The two posts supporting the roof also needed to be moved, ably carried out by Julian Beel and David F. Bob continued his survey work, whilst Nicki gardened and fielded visitors' questions, an important part of our wider engagement and championing roles.

See the photos June 2026

July 2026


For the Festival we displayed artefacts from the Bridge including a huge spanner and giant wooden pattern for the new cast iron wheel fitted a few years ago. Two large photographic displays featured the many heritage assets around the Knuckle, and our work on the Swivel Bridge over the years. A jigger-pit was uncovered, and we offered tours onto the Bridge for those able to climb a short ladder.

Whilst entertaining visitors we were also able to jack the tail of the Bridge and packing it up to relieve the load on the central structure, ready to start contract work on the pintle. Howard and Peter worked all day in the heat fitting the new timber blocks to the Brunel Lock capstan, and Chris valiantly vanquished weeds with his strimmer.

In the afternoon the number of visitors kept three volunteers busy guiding and answering questions. All our visitors were fascinated by our presentations, and over a dozen asked to receive our newsletters. However, looking across Cumberland Basin to Junction Lock Bridge it was clear that most people were walking westwards as far as Underfall Yard, and then returning to the main festival. The challenge for the Festival organizers, for us, and for Bristol City is to encourage footfall further westwards. There is so much 'secret' heritage and history at the entrance to the Floating Harbour.

See the photos July 2026