Vital bridge used by 12,000 drivers daily shuts in both directions TODAY as drivers brace for chaos

MOTORISTS brace for chaos as a famous UK bridge, used by thousands of drivers daily, closes for refurbishment works.

Many car-owners will have to rethink their route as the vital bridge shuts in both directions.

Bristol' s world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge will be shut from 9pm on Friday 22 November until 7am on Monday 25 November.

The bridge is set to face electrical work, painting, and inspections - cutting off use by vehicles and cyclists.

Thankfully for Bristol residents, pedestrians are still able to use it and you can still take a wintry stroll from Clifton Village into Leigh Woods.

Cyclists can take their bike over but only if they dismount and walk them across.

Bridge master Trish Johnson explained: “As part of this project to conserve the bridge for many years to come, we need to schedule occasional road closures to carry out works safely.

“During these closures our contractor, Taziker, will be undertaking electrical works, scaffolding works, and painting the chains from the roadway.

"We will also take advantage of the closure to conduct inspections and general maintenance."

Renovations are taking place to protect the platform from corrosion and is part of a two-year scheme to prevent damage to the wrought iron chains.

The links in these chains are now more than 180 years old and are at risk of deteriorating.

The historic piece of was designed by British civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and is Grade I listed bridge.

During the closures the chains will be painted with a protective coat to limit corrosion.

The project started in April 2024 and The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust says the paint it set to keep the bridge in "top condition."

The website states: "Over the next two years, Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust is working with Taziker on a landmark project to protect the bridge's 180-year-old suspension chains for another 20-25 years.

"In Europe, there are only a few suspension bridges with their original iron chains still in place – this makes Clifton Suspension Bridge very special!"

The works will also add an environmentally friendly and sustainable illumination system, which will replace the current lights.

The project has been entirely funded by the tolls on the suspension bridge and the project received no funding from the government.

It costs one pound for motorised vehicles, which can be paid by card, and no charge for pedestrians, cyclists, or horse riders.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust added: "We would like to thank you, our bridge users, for helping us to finance these important works."

Bristolians are relieved to have their beloved bridge back on Monday 25 November.