Crossing the Bridge

The bridge has a weight limit of 4 tons gross weight or 2.5 tons axle weight. There is a weighbridge in the road on both approaches to the bridge. If your vehicle is too heavy the barriers will lock, preventing you from crossing.

The toll barriers can accommodate a maximum vehicle width of 2.4 metres. There is no height restriction.

Motorised vehicles (including motorcycles) pay £1 by contactless card at the barrier. There is no charge for pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders.

If you would like to ride across the bridge, please follow the cycle lane signs which will direct you around the toll barriers and back onto the roadway. You must dismount if you wish to cross using the pedestrian footway.

Our tolling machines were in need of replacement and to reduce future maintenance and to minimise contact for everyone, with Covid and all its variants still a problem, we are no longer accepting cash.

To make card payments as safe as possible, card payment machines have been installed on the outside of the toll machines. These accept contactless and chip and pin and will also accept Apple, Google and Samsung Pay.

People can apply for a Bridge Card as the most efficient and cheapest way to cross the Bridge. Discounts are applied dependant on the number of crossings purchased.

There are other benefits too. Not taking cash gives us a 10% reduction in our operational carbon per year, helping us to meet our sustainability goals. There is also cost savings without the need to process cash and the associated charges. We can then use this money saved towards the maintenance and upkeep of the bridge.

Our goal is to keep all Bridge users and staff as safe as we can.
Lockdown has shown that the majority of Clifton Suspension Bridge users can manage payments via contactless card or Bridge card. This is safer for them, our staff, and is more efficient.
We have also seen that cash usage has not returned to pre-lockdown levels as people prefer contactless ways to pay. The prevailing trend is moving to a cashless society.

See our Planned Closures and Maintenance pages for more information on bridge closures.

Payment by Chip and Pin is available at the Toll Houses. Alternatively, if you do not have a debit/credit card a Bridge Card is required. If you have neither a contactless card or a Bridge card, please apply for a Bridge card. Application forms are available from either Toll House, or online or by contacting the office on 0117 9738008 Mon to Thurs (0830 -1230hrs).

If you regularly use the bridge, having a bridge card could make your commute cheaper and quicker. The more crossings purchased, the cheaper it becomes! Bridge Card holders can also register for ANPR. The pay as you cross rates are detailed on the application form.

You can apply for a bridge card online, download an application form or pick one up from either Toll House, or by contacting the office.

To purchase a Bridge card, complete an application form and submit it to the address shown on the form, either with a cheque or contact details so a member of the Admin team can contact you for payment, hand it in to either Toll House or you can complete an application form online or by contacting the office.

Payment is by Credit or Debit card (*we do not accept American Express cards) online. If you submit an application form this can be accompanied with a cheque or you will be contacted to take your payment card details over the phone.

If you wish to collect your Bridge card it will be left in one of the Toll Houses on either end of the Bridge dependant on your choice. These are staffed 24/7 so you can pick the Bridge card up at any time.

As you approach the barrier there are arrows on the machine advising where to tap and hold your card. Hold your Bridge card over to this and the traffic light will change from red to green and the barrier will raise. Bridge card holders can also register for ANPR crossings. The amount of credit you have left on the Bridge card will be displayed on the screen. Bridge cards can be recharged on-line or by calling 0117 973 8008 (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs.

It is not our policy to split the crossings over multiple Bridge cards. The discount is offered to individuals and not intended for multiple users. Now the new system is installed it is be possible for two individuals to use the same Bridge card by registering for ANPR – but any penalties will apply in case of machine problems. This is detailed in our Terms & Conditions.

There is no actual expiry date on the Bridge card. However, if a Bridge card is unused for 18 months the card will be deactivated and will be considered as no longer required and will be deleted from the system.

Now the new system is installed the Bridge card can be linked to two vehicle registrations (primary and secondary) to allow ANPR to operate. ANPR is automatic number plate recognition and will lift the barrier as the car approached. The Bridge card should be carried in the Primary vehicle in case of any problems with ANPR.

Bridge cards can be recharged online. Alternatively you can recharge over the telephone by calling 0117 973 8008 (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs. Please note that crossings applied for after 1230hrs on Thursday will not be applied until the following Monday. With Bank Holidays this can take up to 4 days before they appear.

Call 0117 973 8008 or email office@cliftonbridge.org.uk and a member of the Admin team will be in touch with you as soon as your message is picked up. Office hours are (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs.

If you no longer need your Bridge card then please return your card to the address on the card: Admin Office, Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, Bridge Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA, with a letter saying you no longer require the card. You will then be refunded the outstanding crossings at the price you purchased them at less a £10 Admin fee. Refunds are paid by cheque or bank transfer. If you wish payment by bank transfer please include your bank details with your letter.

We do not charge VAT on the Bridge cards.

If purchasing on-line then a receipt will automatically be generated. If you purchase via the Admin team you can request a receipt which can be emailed or posted to you. Receipts are not issued when paying by contactless card at the toll barriers.

Every time you use your card to cross the Bridge, your remaining crossings are displayed on the toll machine screen. Alternatively you can call the Admin team on 0117 973 8008 (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs. to provide you with details.

To be eligible for a Concessionary Bridge card you must live within the Bristol (BS) postcode, be in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

There is a one-time payment of £10 when you apply for a Concessionary Bridge card. All crossings are then free for the year. There is no further payment needed for annual renewal. There will be a further charge of £10 if your Concessionary Bridge card is lost or stolen and you require a replacement.

No – A blue badge does not automatically qualify you for our concession scheme so we cannot accept this as eligibility. To be eligible you have to meet the following criteria: Live within the Bristol (BS) postcode, be in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

Complete an application form and submit it for processing, include recent documented proof of your eligibility for the Concessionary Bridge card. Application forms are available from either Toll House, by contacting the office or online.

Concessionary Bridge cards are valid for 12 months from date of issue. It is the responsibility of the user to be aware when their Concessionary Bridge card is due for renewal. For annual renewals, recent documentation proving you are still eligible for the Concessionary Bridge card and a fresh application form is required.

If you wish to collect your Concessionary Bridge card it will be left in one of the Toll Houses on either end of the Bridge dependant on your choice. These are manned 24/7 so you can pick the Concessionary Bridge card up at any time.

 Call 0117 973 8008 or email office@cliftonbridge.org.uk and a member of the Admin team will be in touch with you as soon as your message is picked up. Office hours are (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs.

As you approach the barrier there are arrows on the machine advising where to tap and hold your card. Hold your Bridge card near to this and the traffic light will change from red to green and the barrier will raise. The amount of credit you have left on the Bridge card will be displayed on the screen. Concessionary cards can be recharged by calling 0117 973 8008 (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs.

Payment is by Credit or Debit card (*we do not accept American Express cards) online. If you submit an application form this can be accompanied with a cheque or you will be contacted to take your payment card details over the phone.

Application forms are available from either Toll House, by contacting the office or online.

How can I check how many crossings are remaining on my Concessionary Bridge card?

Every time you use your card to cross the Bridge, your remaining crossings are displayed on the toll machine screen. Alternatively you can call the Admin team on 0117 973 8008 (0830hrs -1230hrs) Mon – Thurs.

Your Concessionary Bridge card is not related to a specific vehicle. The only specification is that you have to be in the vehicle using the Concessionary Bridge card. Any breach of this is against the Terms & Conditions for use of the card and your card may be withdrawn.

A receipt is issued after your initial payment for your Concessionary Bridge card. You will receive a receipt if you require a replacement as well. Receipts are not issued when paying by credit/debit card at the toll barriers.