Clifton Suspension Bridge is safe – despite a structural fault which left it closed for nearly 24 hours, say engineers

The bridge was closed after a member of the public walking across the bridge noticed one of the 162 vertical wrought iron rods had cracked.

On Monday experts were carrying out further checks for signs of corrosion or cracks.

A full annual check of the 145-year-old bridge due to take place in July has now been brought forward.

A partial check will be carried out this week, and a full one will be scheduled during the next few months.

Steel braces have been put either side of the cracked rod, which will remain in place until a new one can be fitted.

A new rod will be made by a local steel company and could be ready for installation within the next week.

The bridge was shut after the crack was spotted because of fears over the extra strain on the other struts.

Bridge master Dave Anderson said: "This is not unprecedented with this bridge or any old bridges.

"It has happened a few times in the life of this bridge – the rod is easy to replace but it takes a few days to do it.

"The bridge is not going to fall down."

Don Midlane, one of the bridge attendants, said: "I have never seen this happen in the 27 years I have been working here.

"We have replaced some before but never had one crack on us in that time."

The fault, in a metre-high rod in the middle of the bridge on the north or up-stream side, was discovered at about 4pm on Saturday, prompting the bridge staff to call the police to close off the approach roads.

The road remained shut to pedestrians and traffic until midnight, when the footpath on the Southern side was reopened.

Engineers from the local office of international consultants Flint and Neill worked overnight with the bridge staff to ensure it was safe.

Shortly after 2pm on Sunday the bridge was also reopened to traffic.

The last time the bridge had to close for structural work was during the resurfacing of the roads and drainage scheme last summer.

Mr Anderson said: "We will have to investigate the cause. It could be fatigue or a defect that has been present in the rod since it was manufactured."

As the sun set over the Gorge on Saturday evening, people gathered outside the Observatory overlooking the bridge, trying to work out why it was closed.

Nicola Hembry, a doctor from Stoke Gifford, was walking near the bridge with a friend visiting from Greece.

She said: "I am showing my friend this Bristol landmark, but we have been told we can't walk across.

"I thought maybe they were filming for Casualty or something but if the problem is structural then it is a bit worrying."

James Hodge, 37, from Clifton, a lecturer in pharmacology at Bristol University, was out walking his dog.

He said: "The bridge is a miracle of engineering. It is amazing that it has lasted so well and these are the only problems it has."

Student nurse Chris Ball, 37, who lives on Bridge Road in Leigh Woods, found himself having to get a taxi home from the Clifton side of the bridge on Saturday night after visiting family staying at the Avon Gorge hotel.

His wife Becky, 37, who was out walking across the bridge yesterday morning, said: "It should only have been a 10-minute walk, but he ended up having to get a taxi the long way round, which cost him £10.

"He was a little bit put out, I think, but not upset."