Clifton Suspension Bridge was my great-great-great-grandfather’s first major project, which he won in open competition against the leading engineers of the day.
He was only 24 years old and it must be admitted that his father helped him with the engineering details. He called the bridge ‘my first love, my darling’ but sadly did not live to see it finished.
The concept was extremely daring for its time, as it was the longest and highest suspension bridge in the world. Unfortunately, construction was severely interrupted by the great political and social upheavals of the mid-nineteenth century. But such were Brunel’s achievements and reputation that it was completed as a fitting memorial by his fellow engineers and stands today as the symbol of the great city of Bristol.
Clifton Suspension Bridge receives no subsidies from local and national government but relies solely on tolls for income. However thanks to careful management of the trustees and the skill and dedication of a succession of Bridge Masters and maintenance staff, the majestic structure, the only surviving unaltered example of an early chain suspension bridge, should continue to be used for many, many years to come./
On the cap of Leigh Woods tower are inscribed the Latin words ‘Suspensa vix via fit’ – a pun on the name of the original benefactor, William Vick. They loosely translate as A suspended way built with difficulty’‘. As the reader of this fascinating book will discover, rarely has a more appropriate inscription been placed on a structure.
Isambard Thomas.
52 pages black and colour illustrations and diagrams
ISBN 978-1-874092-49-0
