The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, connecting Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset. Since its opening in 1864, it has been a toll bridge, and the revenue is used to fund its maintenance. The bridge was designed by William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw, based on an earlier design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is also a Grade I listed building and forms part of the B3129 road.
The idea of building a bridge across the Avon Gorge began in 1753. Initial plans called for a stone bridge, with later versions contemplating a wrought-iron structure. An attempt to construct Brunel's design in 1831 was halted by the Bristol Riots, and a revised design was finally completed in 1864, after his death. Although the bridge is similar in size and design, the Clifton tower features side cut-outs, while the Leigh tower has a more pointed arch over an abutment clad in red sandstone, standing 110 feet (34 meters) tall. "Saddles" mounted on rollers atop each tower allow for the movement of the three independent wrought-iron chains on each side as traffic passes over the bridge. The bridge deck is suspended by 81 pairs of matching vertical wrought-iron rods.
The Clifton Bridge Company initially managed the bridge under a charitable trust's license. The trust later purchased the company's shares, which was completed in 1949, and took over the operation of the bridge, using the tolls for maintenance. The bridge is used as an icon of Bristol and is a characteristic landmark seen on postcards, promotional materials, and informational websites. It has also been used as the backdrop for several films, television advertisements, and programs. Furthermore, it has served as the venue for significant cultural events, including the first modern bungee jump in 1979, the final Concorde flight (which flew over the bridge) in 2003, and the handover of the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012.
ブリストルはイギリス西部(せいぶ)の港湾(こうわん)都市(とし)で、イギリス全体(ぜんたい)で8番目(ばんめ)に人(ひと)口(くち)が多(おお)く、サウス・ウェスト・イングランドで最(もっと)も人口(じんこう)の多(おお)い都市(とし)です。歴史的(れきしてき)には古代(こだい)ローマのアボナ港(みなと)が基礎(きそ)となり、アングロ・サクソン時代(じだい)に都市(とし)として発展(はってん)しました。商業港(しょうぎょうこう)として栄(さか)え、中世(ちゅうせい)に大規模(だいきぼ)な港湾(こうわん)拡張(かくちょう)工事(こうじ)が行(おこな)われました。産業(さんぎょう)革命(かくめい)の時代(じだい)には製造(せいぞう)業(ぎょう)が盛(さか)んになり、一時(いちじ)はイギリスでトップ3の都市(とし)の1つでした。現在(げんざい)は産業(さんぎょう)、金融(きんゆう)、航空機(こうくうき)製造(せいぞう)、自動車(じどうしゃ)産業(さんぎょう)などが盛(さか)んです。Bristol is a port city in the west of England, the eighth most populous city in the UK overall, and the most populous in South West England. Historically, it was founded upon the ancient Roman port of Abona and developed as a city during the Anglo-Saxon period. It prospered as a commercial port, with large-scale port expansion works carried out in the Middle Ages. During the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing flourished, and at one point, it was one of the top three cities in England. Currently, industry, finance, aircraft manufacturing, and the automotive industry are thriving.
ブリストルはイギリス西部(せいぶ)の港湾(こうわん)都市(とし)で、イギリス全体(ぜんたい)で8番目(ばんめ)に人(ひと)口(くち)が多(おお)く、サウス・ウェスト・イングランドで最(もっと)も人口(じんこう)の多(おお)い都市(とし)です。歴史的(れきしてき)には古代(こだい)ローマのアボナ港(みなと)が基礎(きそ)となり、アングロ・サクソン時代(じだい)に都市(とし)として発展(はってん)しました。商業港(しょうぎょうこう)として栄(さか)え、中世(ちゅうせい)に大規模(だいきぼ)な港湾(こうわん)拡張(かくちょう)工事(こうじ)が行(おこな)われました。産業(さんぎょう)革命(かくめい)の時代(じだい)には製造(せいぞう)業(ぎょう)が盛(さか)んになり、一時(いちじ)はイギリスでトップ3の都市(とし)の1つでした。現在(げんざい)は産業(さんぎょう)、金融(きんゆう)、航空機(こうくうき)製造(せいぞう)、自動車(じどうしゃ)産業(さんぎょう)などが盛(さか)んです。Bristol is a port city in the west of England, the eighth most populous city in the UK overall, and the most populous in South West England. Historically, it was founded upon the ancient Roman port of Abona and developed as a city during the Anglo-Saxon period. It prospered as a commercial port, with large-scale port expansion works carried out in the Middle Ages. During the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing flourished, and at one point, it was one of the top three cities in England. Currently, industry, finance, aircraft manufacturing, and the automotive industry are thriving.