Tunnel in the Sky / Bristol
A competition for a replacement for the Clifton Suspension bridge, Bristol. The competition was run to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the bridge.
Today I visited an amazing new project that spans the Avon Gorge. They call it the ‘Tunnel in the Sky’. The tunnel itself is a toll route for the cars and lorries on the main road whilst pedestrians get to stroll over the top in the fresh air. They have removed the traffic from the gorge and made it a peaceful place to visit. What a simple idea! The main roads feeding the tunnel drop below ground before they reach the cliff edge so the parks on either side of the gorge are continuous. It’s just a blanket of trees as far as you can see…..It seems to me they’ve really got their priorities right – putting cars in their proper place whilst encouraging public transport and walking over the gorge.
It’s such a unique solution and could only really happen in Bristol because the gorge is so high. It’s so subtle and elegant, at times the mirrored cladding helps it disappear during the day and apparently at night it glows warmly.
