Bristol's Pero's Bridge slips into the harbour days before crews were due to lift it out

The bridge, opened in 1999 and designed by artist Eilis O'Connell, with Ove Arup & Partners as engineers, had been closed since August, after its 11-meter lifting section buckled in a test lift and stuck in the raised position. Councillor Andrew Brown, who chairs the city's harbour committee, said the span slid from that position and left a small section underwater, Bristol24/7 reported. Photos show one of the horn-shaped counterweights in the water. Environmental crews were cleaning up a small hydraulic oil leak near the Arnolfini, IBTimes UK reported.

The defects were on file well before the collapse. IBTimes UK, citing the BBC and council records, reported that engineers had warned of heavy rust and a risk of the span jamming or misaligning, and that the council approved £200,000 for emergency investigations in September 2025 and restricted lifting and loads on the structure. A December 2025 council report found heavy corrosion, mostly on the western section, worn sealant letting moisture reach the steel, and a risk of seized bearings. The council approved £1.35 million for repairs in March and £160,000 more in July.

The plan was to lift the broken section out and take it to Albion Dry Dock, which would also reopen the channel to boats. Brown said engineers were reviewing the lift plan and had not yet confirmed any effect on the refurbishment work. The council expects repairs to cost more than £1.5 million, ITV News reported. It has not said what caused the slip and is still aiming for a spring 2027 reopening.