Bristol Pedestrian Bridge Collapses Following Warnings Over Severe Corrosion
Structures · Smart operations · AEC industry
The lifting section of Pero’s Bridge in Bristol collapsed on Saturday night. The pedestrian bridge had been closed since an August test lift malfunction, and a prior engineering inspection had warned of severe rust, failing sealant, and mechanical risks.
The lifting section of Pero’s Bridge in Bristol collapsed into the water at approximately 11pm on Saturday, leaving its counterweight section partially submerged. The 11-meter pedestrian bridge over St Augustine’s Reach, designed by sculptor Eilis O’Connell and Arup and constructed in 1999, had been closed to the public since August 13 after a test lift malfunctioned and left it partially raised. As a result of the prior closure, no injuries were reported. According to BBC reporting cited by Construction Management, a December 2025 engineering report commissioned by Bristol City Council warned of significant rusting, failing sealant between wooden deck planks exposing steelwork, seized bearings, and flooding risks in mechanical components. Bristol City Council stated that there was no confirmed impact on existing refurbishment plans aimed at reopening the bridge in spring 2027.
Key takeaways
- The middle lifting section of the 11-meter Pero's Bridge collapsed on Saturday night, causing no injuries because it remained closed following an August 13 malfunction.
- A December 2025 inspection report warned of extensive rusting, sealant deterioration between deck planks, seized bearings, and mechanical equipment flooding risks.
- The council removed approximately three tonnes of love locks in summer 2025 and stated the collapse has no confirmed impact on plans to reopen in spring 2027.
Source：Construction Management Read the original ↗
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