A landmark bridge in Bristol Harbour has partially collapsed into the water following a mechanical failure that occurred earlier in the year. According to BBC News, the collapse of Pero's Bridge happened shortly before 23:00 GMT on Saturday, with photographs revealing a section of the structure twisted downwards and one of its distinctive horn-shaped sculptures now submerged. Despite the incident, Bristol City Council has stated there is currently "no confirmed impact" to its maintenance and refurbishment programme, which aims to reopen the bridge in Spring 2027.
The bridge has remained closed since August when a lifting mechanism failed during a test lift, leaving it stuck in a raised position. Workers had been preparing to remove damaged sections last week when the collapse occurred. Andrew Brown, the council's chair of the harbour committee, explained that the centre span of the bridge "slipped" and caused damage to the hydraulic ram, with a small amount of hydraulic oil leaking into the water near the Arnolfini gallery. Engineers were deployed to the site to assess the structure and clear the spilled oil.
Structural concerns about Pero's Bridge emerged months before the August incident. An inspection carried out in July 2025 identified several "major structural issues" requiring "urgent attention" on the crossing, which was constructed in 1999 and connects Queen Square and Millennium Square. Engineers had previously warned of "significant rusting" and flagged the possibility that the lifting section could become stuck or misaligned. In September of the previous year, the council approved £200,000 in emergency investigation works and implemented a ban on lifting the bridge along with weight restrictions.
A council-commissioned report attributed the deterioration to water penetrating gaps in the decking sealant, which corroded steelwork and caused bearings to seize. The planned refurbishment scheme, budgeted at £1.35 million before any additional costs from the August failure, will address these defects alongside repairs to the lifting mechanism and electrical, mechanical and structural components, plus installation of new lighting.
What happens next for the bridge?
Bristol City Council's latest plans call for the bridge's three spans to be lifted and transported by barge to Albion Dry Dock during the week of 2 November, with their return to the harbour expected in summer 2027. Once the spans are removed, boats will be able to pass through St Augustine's Reach and ferry services are anticipated to resume at Cascade Steps. Andrew Brown stated that engineers were assessing the structure and reviewing plans to lift the bridge, with the council continuing to monitor the situation pending engineering assessment and approval of any revised plans.
Key Facts
- Pero's Bridge collapsed into Bristol Harbour shortly before 23:00 GMT on Saturday after its centre span slipped and damaged the hydraulic ram
- The bridge has been closed since August when a lifting mechanism failed during a test lift, leaving it stuck in a raised position
- An inspection in July 2025 found major structural issues including significant rusting, with water penetration through decking sealant identified as the cause of deterioration
- The council's refurbishment programme is budgeted at £1.35 million and aims to reopen the bridge in Spring 2027
- The three bridge spans are scheduled to be transported to Albion Dry Dock in early November for repair work
