Navigating through the bridges, clearances, details of swing bridges
Navigating through Bristol Harbour's bridges
Two-way navigation applies through all bridge-ways with the following exceptions:
- Temple Meads Railway bridge, you should keep to the arch on the starboard side
- Plimsoll Bridge and Junction Lock Bridge: when these bridges are opened, vessels should proceed following instructions from the Marine Services Supervisor or bridge operator, which will be given by VHF channel 14
- Prince Street Bridge, Redcliffe Bridges and Finzel's Bridge: if you're going upstream, you should give way to vessels going downstream
- Peros Bridge: if you're going upstream using the central channel, give way to vessels going downstream
To avoid any risk of collision, you must sound one prolonged blast on your horn before you go through any bridges.
Take a look at our Notice to Mariners for anything that might affect your journey.
Bridge clearances
Bridge clearance above normal harbour level (6.10 metres above O.D. Newlyn).
The table below shows bridge clearance heights at normal harbour water level.
Variations of maximum 0.5 metres either way are not uncommon. You should check gauge boards when you approach all bridges.
| Bridge | Clearance | Type of bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Plimsoll Bridge | Generally 5.8 metres but varies from 5.8 metres at the south side to 6.7 metres at the north side of the lock. Reduced on the spring tides by 0.8 metres on the top of a MHWS tide | Swing |
| Junction Lock Bridge | 2.5 metres | Swing |
| Prince Street Bridge | 2.2 metres | Swing |
| Peros Bridge, centre span | 3.3 metres | Bascule |
| Peros Bridge, east and west span | 2.2 metres for a distance of 6 metres from bridge piers | Bascule |
| Guinea Street Bridge | 2.7 metres | Swing |
| Redcliffe Bridge | 3.6 metres. Do not use east and west arches | Bascule |
| Bristol Bridge, centre arch | 4.1 metres. Do not use east arch | Fixed |
| Finzels Reach Bridge | 3.6 metres | |
| St. Phillips Bridge | 4.2 metres | Fixed |
| Temple Way Bridge | 4.4 metres | Fixed |
| Temple Foot Bridge | 3.3 metres | Fixed |
| Valentine Bridge | 4.1 metres | |
| Meads Reach Bridge (Cheese Grater bridge) | 4.7 metres | |
| Railway Arches, north side | 5.4 metres | Fixed |
| Avon Street Bridge | 3.3 metres | Fixed |
| Silverthorne Lane Footbridge | 3.8 metres | Fixed |
| Services Bridge, 1 | 7.4 metres | Fixed |
| Services Bridge, 2 | 6.6 metres | Fixed |
| Feeder Road Skew Bridge (railway) | 6.7 metres | Fixed |
| Marsh Lane Bridge | 3.8 metres | Fixed |
| Netham Bridge | 3.9 metres | Fixed |
| Netham Bailey Bridge | 4 metres | Fixed |
| St. Annes Footbridge (above O.D. Newlyn) | 12.8 metres | Fixed |
| Bickley Wood Road Bridge (above O.D. Newlyn) | 27 metres | Fixed |
| Netham Dam top (above Cumberland cill) | 9.45 metres | |
| Netham Dam bottom (above O.D. Newlyn) | 6.104 metres |
Temple Meads railway bridge
The western arch of the bridge has a floating pedestrian walkway.
You should take care when navigating through the tunnel. If your vessel is over 35 tonnes you cannot use this western viaduct arch.
Contact the Harbour Office if you need more information.
Prince Street swing bridge
If you need a Prince Street bridge swing, you'll need to contact the Harbour Authority at least 1 hour in advance or book a swing on the Sail Bristol app.
Prince Street Bridge is operated at the following times:
- Summer period (BST) from 9.30am to 9.30pm
- Winter period (GMT) from 9.30am to 4.15pm
Prince Street Bridge swings are limited to one an hour and are usually at half past the hour.
The water level is usually between 0.0m and 0.1m above normal harbour level, but can be up to 0.5m above.
You should check the gauge boards, which are on bridge abutments, before passing under the bridge.
Redcliffe Bridge and Pero's Bridge
You'll need to make special arrangements to open these bridges. Contact us for more information.
Swing bridges in Cumberland Basin
Contact us at the Watch House, on the south side of the entrance lock to arrange the swinging of these bridges.
Plimsoll swing bridge
The Plimsoll swing bridge is just after the entrance lock
Plimsoll Bridge clearance varies from 5.8 metres at the south side to 6.7 metres at the north side of the lock. Clearances are reduced on spring tides.
If your air draft is greater than 5.8 metres, you'll need to give a minimum of 48 hours' notice for a Plimsoll Bridge swing.
To arrange a bridge swing, phone The Deputy Harbour Master on 0117 927 3633. If you're calling outside of tidal operations, leave a message on the answering machine.
Junction Swing Bridge (Merchants Road)
This swing bridge is over the Junction Lock.
Junction swing bridge clearance: 2.5 metres above harbour level
Times we don't open the Cumberland Basin swing bridges
The Plimsoll and Junction bridges can't be opened Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays) between 7.30am to 9am and 4.30pm to 6pm.
We might need to keep the bridges closed 30 minutes either side of these times as road traffic has priority.