Brunel’s world-famous crossing over the River Avon in Bristol opened in 1864 after 33 years of work on it.
The new Heritage & Learning Centre will be built by Rydon, which recently completed the refurbishment of another of Brunel’s Bristol icons, the Grade I listed Engine Shed, which has now been converted into a business centre for technology firms.
The new centre, designed by Bristol-based Alec French Architects, will be on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge, next to new offices for the Bridge Master.
It will be built to incorporate an existing stone wall and will include a render finish and copper fin detailing. The two-storey building will incorporate a pavilion featuring a large interior exhibition space.
The Heritage and Learning Centre will be opened in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge on 8th December 2014. It is part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and forms part of a larger investment to modernise the bridge’s facilities and support its long-term maintenance and preservation.
Rydon Construction southwest regional director Paul Barber said: “Having recently delivered a careful refurbishment to Brunel’s Engine Shed, we are very proud to now be involved in a significant chapter of another iconic Bristol location. We’re really looking forward to working alongside the trustees of the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the coming months to bring to life a great new addition to Bristol’s tourist industry.”
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
