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Suspension bridge closed by fault Suspension bridge partly reopened
(about 5 hours later)
Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge was closed on Saturday evening after a crack was found in one of its metal hanging rods. Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge has partly reopened after it was closed when a crack was found in one of its metal hanging rods.
Engineering experts have been assessing the structure and the Victorian bridge remained shut overnight. Engineering experts assessed the structure and the Victorian bridge remained shut overnight.
A spokesman at the Bridgemaster's office said it was a very rare event which had not happened for many years.A spokesman at the Bridgemaster's office said it was a very rare event which had not happened for many years.
But staff are said to be confident that the cracked rod could be fixed in time for it to reopen on Sunday lunchtime. One lane was reopened at 1430 BST on Sunday while full repairs to the rod are carried out.
Bridge spokesman Dave Anderson said it was likely one lane on the structure would reopen between midday and 1400 BST. Bridge spokesman Dave Anderson said traffic lights had been put in place to keep the traffic down to one lane.
Temporary supportsTemporary supports
The decision to close the bridge was taken after a member of the public spotted a serious flaw or crack in a metal hanging rod. The original decision to close the bridge was taken after a member of the public spotted a serious flaw or crack in a metal hanging rod.
On Saturday evening temporary supports were installed to make the bridge safe which allowed it to be opened to pedestrians at about midnight.On Saturday evening temporary supports were installed to make the bridge safe which allowed it to be opened to pedestrians at about midnight.
On Sunday morning engineers were analysing the supports to verify that the bridge had adequate strength.On Sunday morning engineers were analysing the supports to verify that the bridge had adequate strength.
A new rod will have to be made and fitted which Mr Anderson said would probably take a few days.A new rod will have to be made and fitted which Mr Anderson said would probably take a few days.
When the bridge reopens later, temporary traffic lights on the bridge will keep the traffic down to one lane and there may be some delays.
The bridge was originally opened in 1865, several years after the death of its designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.The bridge was originally opened in 1865, several years after the death of its designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.