Brunel's Other BridgeBrunel Swivel Bridge Project Photos 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.
We had a great display for our visitors |