Bristol Bridge

Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name=Bristol Bridge

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caption=Bristol Bridge taken from Castle Park
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carries=motor vehicles
crosses=Bristol Harbour/River Frome
locale=Bristol
maint=Bristol City Council
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clearance=
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traffic=
open=1768
closed=
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Bristol Bridge is an old bridge over the floating harbour in Bristol, England.

The original bridge was a medieval wooden structure that had both its sides lined with houses. A seventeenth century illustration shows that these were five stories high, including the attic rooms, and that they overhung the river much as Tudor houses would overhang the street. Lynch, John (1999) "For King & Parliament", ISBN 0-7509-2021-1, p. 10] At the time of the Civil War the bridge was noted for its community of goldsmiths, who may have been attracted by the unusually secure premises. Its population was also perceived to be strongly parliamentarian.

In the 1760 a bill to replace the bridge was carried through parliament by the Bristol MP Sir Jarrit Smyth. Bantock, Anton (2004) "Ashton Court", ISBN 0-7524-3213-3, p. 29] The commission accepted the design of James Bridges and the bridge was built by Thomas Paty between 1763 and 1768. Resentment at the tolls exacted to cross the new bridge occasioned the Bristol Bridge Riot of 1793.

The bridge is now a grade II listed building.cite web
title=Bristol Bridge
work=Images of England
url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=378988
accessdate=2006-12-22]

References

External links

* [http://www.bradley.edu/academics/las/civ/bristol Material on the Bristol Bridge Riot]