PFD report

Bertram Montague Henry Crawford · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 13 Dec 2018•Avon

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
1

Raised in this report

Recipients
1

Named on the report

Responses found
1

Of 1 recipient

Stated actions
14

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised1

  1. Hazard of student deaths from the bridge
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate controls for fatal falls from bridges
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.14

  1. Action

    Increase night-time bridge attendant staffing from two to three.

    Stated by Clifton Suspension Bridge TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 September 2020.
  2. Action

    Train bridge attendants in Safe Intervention Training.

    Stated by Clifton Suspension Bridge TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 September 2020.
  3. Action

    Build walkways beneath the buttresses, subject to structural and planning approvals.

    Stated by Clifton Suspension Bridge TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 September 2020.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.2

  1. Position

    Further physical suicide-prevention measures are constrained by structural feasibility, including wind-loading requirements.

    Stated by Clifton Suspension Bridge TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Hazard of student deaths from the bridge

Wider context from the report

“This is the 3rd student death from the bridge this year, it being the 4th student death from the bridge in two years. This is obviously on top of the other deaths from the bridge that have occurred. I appreciate that the bridge is a site of historical interest however, this cluster of student deaths is of particular concern and I considered that I had a duty to formally report this to you. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate controls for fatal falls from bridges.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Increase night-time bridge attendant staffing from two to three.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We currently have a team of three bridge attendants during the day and two at night. We are planning to increase the number of bridge attendants to three present at night, as current statistics indicate that this is when the most incidents occur. This change is in the planning process and we will be aiming to implement this later in 2019 as part of our suicide prevention improvements.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Train bridge attendants in Safe Intervention Training.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The numbers of vulnerable people our bridge attendants are dealing with each year is increasing, but the number of suicides has remained fairly stable. There are a minimum of two bridge attendants in attendance at the bridge at all times, carrying out regular foot patrols and monitoring the CCTV cameras. I am not aware of any other location or location which has similar full time surveillance or patrols. This work has become a major part of the bridge attendants’ role. The bridge attendants are trained in negotiation skills, suicide awareness and next month they will be trained in Safe Intervention Training, similar to that used in hospitals.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 1 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Build walkways beneath the buttresses, subject to structural and planning approvals.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The decision to add further physical measures to the bridge is, however, a complex one. There must be a balance between the measures to be taken and allowing the bridge to be enjoyed by the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Installing further physical barriers will have an impact on the structure of the bridge and we must ensure that any changes are not detrimental to its safety. We are also severely constrained by planning constraints imposed on us by Historic England. Any changes we want to make require their approval.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Rebuild the Clifton-side quiet room for people in distress awaiting emergency services.

Verbatim wording from the response

“There is a quiet room at the Clifton side of the bridge where people in distress can sit in private while waiting for the emergency services to arrive. This is being rebuilt at present and once completed will be more comfortable than the current arrangements. Leaflets offering relevant support are available in this room.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install mesh panels on parapet-fence ends to prevent access onto the span.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In 2012, mesh panels were installed on the outside ends of the parapet fences to prevent access onto the span.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Upgrade CCTV coverage with high-definition, low-light and thermal-imaging capability.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The bridge is monitored by 31 CCTV cameras in real-time. All areas of the bridge are covered by these cameras. In 2018, we increased the proportion of high definition, low light tolerant cameras, with thermal imaging for viewing at night. We have been investing in these state-of-the-art facilities to help us monitor activities on the bridge as well as we possibly can. In addition, the cameras are linked to alarms that alert Bridge Attendants to pedestrians on the bridge between the hours of midnight and 5.00am.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Illuminate Samaritan signs throughout the night.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Samaritan signs are installed on both towers and can be seen by anyone coming to the bridge. There are also phone boxes located at each end of the bridge, with the Freephone number to the Samaritans displayed. Recently, we have installed lighting to illuminate the Samaritan signs throughout the night.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Extend parapet anti-climb fencing over the span, subject to structural and planning approvals.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The decision to add further physical measures to the bridge is, however, a complex one. There must be a balance between the measures to be taken and allowing the bridge to be enjoyed by the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Installing further physical barriers will have an impact on the structure of the bridge and we must ensure that any changes are not detrimental to its safety. We are also severely constrained by planning constraints imposed on us by Historic England. Any changes we want to make require their approval.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install covers on end parapet posts to restrict foothold access onto buttress walls.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In 2017, we installed covers to the end parapet posts to restrict foothold access onto the buttress walls.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install a half-corona barrier on the Clifton South abutment to prevent access along the ledge.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In 2013, we installed a half-corona barrier on the Clifton South abutment to prevent access to the bridge span along the abutment ledge.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Advance plans and seek stakeholder support for further suicide-prevention improvements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are acutely aware of the importance of reducing access to means for those who wish to attempt suicide. In addition to increasing the number of bridge attendants at night, over the last two years we have been planning further substantial physical improvements to the bridge.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Link CCTV cameras to alarms alerting attendants to pedestrians between midnight and 5 a.m.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The bridge is monitored by 31 CCTV cameras in real-time. All areas of the bridge are covered by these cameras. In 2018, we increased the proportion of high definition, low light tolerant cameras, with thermal imaging for viewing at night. We have been investing in these state-of-the-art facilities to help us monitor activities on the bridge as well as we possibly can. In addition, the cameras are linked to alarms that alert Bridge Attendants to pedestrians on the bridge between the hours of midnight and 5.00am.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Maintain continuous overnight lighting on the bridge, footways and buttresses.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In 2006, we upgraded the lighting on the bridge and both footways and buttresses are continuously lit throughout the night, with lights also present at all entrances to the bridge.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Maintain anti-climb barriers on the bridge span with anti-climb mesh.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Anti-climb barriers on the span were installed in 1999 and have been considered best practice by many bridge owners. They are higher than the average for bridges at 1.9m high and are fitted with anti-climb mesh on the footway side of the barriers.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 2 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Further physical suicide-prevention measures are constrained by structural feasibility, including wind-loading requirements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The decision to add further physical measures to the bridge is, however, a complex one. There must be a balance between the measures to be taken and allowing the bridge to be enjoyed by the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Installing further physical barriers will have an impact on the structure of the bridge and we must ensure that any changes are not detrimental to its safety. We are also severely constrained by planning constraints imposed on us by Historic England. Any changes we want to make require their approval.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Further bridge changes require approval from Historic England, planning authorities and conservation officers.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The decision to add further physical measures to the bridge is, however, a complex one. There must be a balance between the measures to be taken and allowing the bridge to be enjoyed by the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Installing further physical barriers will have an impact on the structure of the bridge and we must ensure that any changes are not detrimental to its safety. We are also severely constrained by planning constraints imposed on us by Historic England. Any changes we want to make require their approval.”

Source location

2020-0130-Response-from-Suspension-Bridge-Trust_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 14 September 2020

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026