Clifton Tower of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Only a quick report this. It's another one from the archives, but this one was special as it's such an iconic structure. It's pretty much THE thing that people know our city for (along with a big ol' boat). It's the commuter route into Bristol from North Somerset (woop) and further afield for those who are happy to part with one of their finest British pounds for the privilege.
Work to restore each tower took place a few years back. The Clifton tower in 2015 and the Leigh Woods tower in 2016. A quote from the bridge website regarding the restoration works of this tower, and why the scaffolding was needed:
I didn't take too many photos here sadly – I was using a borrowed camera and wasn’t very accustomed to using it. In addition to that, it's sort of one of those places where you just go to admire it and take it in, not be permanently clicking away on a camera.
Following a usual, fairly common gathering in the local pub, we headed across to the bridge to see to business. We all agreed we’d been putting this off for far too long, so knew that there was nothing to it but to do it.
As we approached the bridge, we could see the familiar glow of a CCTV monitoring screen in the security office on the Clifton side. We knew that throughout this escapade we would be featuring on at least one of these monitors, but dwelling on that fact doesn’t do the nerves any good whatsoever. Being nearly midnight, there was next to no one around, and cars were a rarity so two people loitering would be sure to attract attention from one of the night guards? Well we’d find out soon.
The Clifton Tower - from 2013 during the snowy period
Photos
Looking down towards security office
The door to the bottom of the scaffolding had one simple code lock on. Whilst it’s fairly easy to crack these locks, we couldn’t afford to spend minute after minute stood by the door doing so. We tossed a coin, and loser would bolt over the top of the door and open it for the other one. I won (for once), so stood nearby keeping an eye on the hut for movement whilst the deed was done.
It was all over in a matter of minutes, and before we knew it, we were at the top. Well executed – just how we like it. That being said, it was nigh on impossible to keep quiet once at the top, as there were bits and bobs lying around everywhere, just waiting to be kicked.
The security guard did come out for a cigarette whilst we were at the top. Luckily we noticed, so were able to get to a more discreet position and observe him as he did so. He looked up a couple of times; was he suspicious? We’ll never know, but after five minutes he was safely back in his office so business could resume.
And a couple of high ISO bad boys looking out towards the Avon Gorge and the Portway below
IKB <3
Only a quick report this. It's another one from the archives, but this one was special as it's such an iconic structure. It's pretty much THE thing that people know our city for (along with a big ol' boat). It's the commuter route into Bristol from North Somerset (woop) and further afield for those who are happy to part with one of their finest British pounds for the privilege.
Work to restore each tower took place a few years back. The Clifton tower in 2015 and the Leigh Woods tower in 2016. A quote from the bridge website regarding the restoration works of this tower, and why the scaffolding was needed:
I didn't take too many photos here sadly – I was using a borrowed camera and wasn’t very accustomed to using it. In addition to that, it's sort of one of those places where you just go to admire it and take it in, not be permanently clicking away on a camera.
Following a usual, fairly common gathering in the local pub, we headed across to the bridge to see to business. We all agreed we’d been putting this off for far too long, so knew that there was nothing to it but to do it.
As we approached the bridge, we could see the familiar glow of a CCTV monitoring screen in the security office on the Clifton side. We knew that throughout this escapade we would be featuring on at least one of these monitors, but dwelling on that fact doesn’t do the nerves any good whatsoever. Being nearly midnight, there was next to no one around, and cars were a rarity so two people loitering would be sure to attract attention from one of the night guards? Well we’d find out soon.
The Clifton Tower - from 2013 during the snowy period
Photos
Looking down towards security office
The door to the bottom of the scaffolding had one simple code lock on. Whilst it’s fairly easy to crack these locks, we couldn’t afford to spend minute after minute stood by the door doing so. We tossed a coin, and loser would bolt over the top of the door and open it for the other one. I won (for once), so stood nearby keeping an eye on the hut for movement whilst the deed was done.
It was all over in a matter of minutes, and before we knew it, we were at the top. Well executed – just how we like it. That being said, it was nigh on impossible to keep quiet once at the top, as there were bits and bobs lying around everywhere, just waiting to be kicked.
The security guard did come out for a cigarette whilst we were at the top. Luckily we noticed, so were able to get to a more discreet position and observe him as he did so. He looked up a couple of times; was he suspicious? We’ll never know, but after five minutes he was safely back in his office so business could resume.
And a couple of high ISO bad boys looking out towards the Avon Gorge and the Portway below
IKB <3
