Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
The Crossing
When the bridge was opened, the road looked very different. Interlocking sleepers of thick Baltic timber, supported layers of seasoned planks nailed on top of them. The exposed wood weathered the rain well, but the discharge from the frequent horse traffic caused much damage. In 1897 it was decided to cover the timber in asphalt - as it is today.
Although the bridge was designed to carry horses, carts and carriages, its rigid construction means it copes perfectly with today's heavier vehicles. A four ton weight limit means you won't find big lorries making the crossing, but cars and vans are totally safe.
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
Vehicles do make the bridge move, however: every time a car drives onto the bridge that section of the deck dips one or two centimetres. High winds also cause the bridge to sway from side to side. When it gets blustery the bridge can sway up to 5 centimetres. Stays, set beneath the deck at either end of the bridge, prevent excessive sideways movement.
It's not enough to damage the lights though, every evening the bridge is brightly illuminated. The lighting has improved over the years but the tradition dates back to the grand opening when open flames lit the tops of the towers. Today's lights are screwed in heavily water-proofed casing to make sure Bristol's most iconic landmark is visible for miles.