Pero's Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pero's Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 51°27′00″N 2°35′52″W / 51.4501°N 2.5979°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian |
| Crosses | St Augustine's Reach in Bristol Harbour |
| Locale | Bristol, England |
| Maintained by | Bristol City Council |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | bascule bridge |
| Longest span | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Clearance below | 3.3 m (11 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1999 |
Pero's Bridge is a special bridge in Bristol, England. It's only for people walking and connects Queen Square with Millennium Square. This bridge crosses a part of Bristol Harbour called St Augustine's Reach. It was opened in 1999.
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How Pero's Bridge Works
The bridge has three main parts, called spans. The two parts on the outside are fixed in place. The middle part, however, can be lifted up! This creates a clear path for boats to pass through the harbour.
Unique Design Features
The most noticeable parts of Pero's Bridge are two large, horn-shaped sculptures. These aren't just for decoration; they are actually counterweights. This means they help balance the bridge when the middle section is lifted. Because of their shape, some people call it the Horned Bridge or even Shrek's Bridge, as the shapes look a bit like Shrek's ears!
Who Was Pero?
The bridge is named after a person called Pero Jones. He lived a long time ago, from about 1753 to 1798. Pero came to Bristol in 1783 from a Caribbean island called Nevis. He was an enslaved person who worked for a merchant named John Pinney. Naming the bridge after Pero helps people remember Bristol's history and the role of enslaved people in it.
The Bridge's Story
The design for Pero's Bridge was created by an Irish artist named Eilis O'Connell. She worked with engineers from a company called Ove Arup & Partners. The bridge was officially opened in 1999 by a government minister, Paul Boateng MP.
Naming the Bridge
When the bridge was named, some people had different ideas. A local politician, Stephen Williams, thought that naming the bridge after Pero was a nice idea, but he felt Bristol should also have a statue or another big memorial to remember its connection to the slave trade. The artist, Eilis O'Connell, even said that "Pero's Bridge sounds a bit political."
Love Locks on the Bridge
Today, hundreds of people attach small padlocks to the bridge. They do this as a symbol of their affection for each other. It's a popular way for couples and friends to show their bond.
A Moment in History
In June 2020, something important happened near the bridge. A statue of Edward Colston, who was a slave trader from Bristol, was pulled down by protestors. It ended up in the harbour, right next to Pero's Bridge, for four days. Later, the city council took the statue out of the water and put it into storage.
Bridge Measurements
The part of the bridge that lifts up is 11 meters (about 36 feet) long. When it's open, it creates a 9-meter (about 30 feet) wide path for boats to go through.
Images for kids
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A close-up view of the horn-shaped counterweights on Pero's Bridge.
