Bridge collapses into water after malfunction

A landmark bridge which was left partially hanging after a major malfunction earlier this year has now collapsed, leaving part of it submerged in water.

Photographs show a section of Pero's Bridge in Bristol Harbour twisted downwards, leaving one of its horn-shaped sculptures in the water.

Workers were set to remove damaged parts of the bridge last week after it was closed in August when a lifting mechanism failed.

Bristol City Council said the collapse happened shortly before 23:00 GMT on Saturday, adding there is "no confirmed impact to the maintenance and refurbishment programme" which would see it reopen in Spring 2027.

The bridge has been closed since it failed a test lift in the summer, leaving it stuck in a raised position.

Andrew Brown, the council's chair of the harbour committee, said the the centre span of the bridge "slipped" and caused damage to the hydraulic ram.

He added a small amount of hydraulic oil leaked into the water by the Arnolfini, and workers were currently on site to clear the oil.

Brown said no one was injured.

"Engineers are also on site assessing the structure and we are reviewing our plans to lift the bridge next week," he said.

"At present there is no confirmed impact to the maintenance and refurbishment programme.

"However, this remains under review pending engineering assessment and approval of the revised plans."

Concerns about the bridge's condition emerged months before the incident, after engineers warned of "significant rusting" and said there was a possibility of the lifting section becoming stuck or misaligned.

It was planned to take damaged parts of the bridge to Albion Dry Dock last week for repair work.

An inspection carried out on the bridge in July 2025 found several "major structural issues" that required "urgent attention" on the crossing, which was built in 1999 and links Queen Square and Millennium Square.

In September last year, the council agreed to spend £200,000 on emergency investigation works and brought in a ban on lifting the bridge and a weight restrictions.

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