Prince Street Bridge temporary closure to motor vehicles
Essential repairs to the Grade II listed Prince Street Bridge on Bristol Harbourside are due to begin on 7 December 2026 with the bridge temporarily closing to motor vehicles.
These repairs are needed to keep the bridge operating safely for everyone who uses the harbour and will help protect the historic structure.
To allow work to take place safely, Prince Street Bridge will be closed to motor vehicles until summer 2027, with signed diversion routes via nearby Redcliffe Bridge in place. Further information on diversion routes, will be made available on the council’s Harbour Improvement web page to help people plan their journeys.
The works have been carefully planned to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the bridge throughout most of the work. Access will be maintained on one side of the bridge while repairs are carried out on the other, before switching sides later in the programme. With space being limited, signs will be in place asking cyclists and scooter users to slow down and give plenty of room to pass others safely.
A small number of short-term full closures, expected to last no more than one day at a time, will be needed to safely complete heavy lifting operations. The dates for these closures will be displayed in advance on signs placed on the approaches to the bridge.
Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Harbour Committee, said: “Although repairs have been carried out to the structure in recent years, further maintenance is now needed to ensure the swing mechanism of the bridge remains reliable for years to come. The project will include repairs to ensure the bridge can continue to swing open, restoration of historic Victorian machinery used to operate the bridge, and upgrades to the unique water hydraulic systems and control equipment.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a working historic harbour at the heart of Bristol. However, much of the infrastructure that supports it is ageing and requires ongoing investment and specialist maintenance. These repairs form part of our wider programme of investment across the harbour, helping us preserve important heritage assets while ensuring they remain safe, reliable and fit for future generations.
“The approach chosen means pedestrians and cyclists can continue to use the bridge, rather than it being closed completely. Given that the volume of motor vehicles that use the bridge is small, we expect there will be minimal effects on the wider network. We’d like to thank residents, businesses, harbour users and visitors for their patience and understanding while these important improvements are carried out.”
The work will focus on repairing and upgrading the bridge’s swing mechanism, which opens to let larger boats pass through the harbour. The programme of works also aims to include improvements to the bridge’s control systems and restoration work to the historic pumphouse.
Boats with a height of 2.1 metres or less above the waterline can continue to pass beneath the bridge while repairs are underway. However, the bridge will be unable to swing open for larger vessels until the repairs are complete.
Prince Street Bridge is a Grade II listed iron swing bridge spanning Bristol Harbour between Prince Street and Wapping Road. Built in 1879, it remains an important transport link and a significant part of the city’s maritime heritage.
Visit the Harbour Improvement web page and follow Bristol City Council and Bristol Harbour Authority social media channels for the latest updates on the works, diversion routes and key dates.
