Bristol's 'wonky' bridge is still making people feel sea sick all these years later

One shopper said she can only cross it with her eyes shut, clinging on to her kids for support

Bristol is a city that loves its bridges, from Brunel's world-famous Clifton landmark to a lesser-known crossing adorned with love locks. When a new bridge is built, there is a lot to live up to.

Some modern designs have been more successful than others - the curvy bridge at Castle Park has become a popular backdrop for pictures, while the Meads Reach Bridge near Temple Meads was ridiculed for looking like a cheese grater. We've even got a bridge to nowhere, beneath some very expensive air.

However, there is one pedestrian bridge that has been known to prompt a physical reaction from those walking across it. Many a first-time visitor to Cabot Circus has been caught by surprise when navigating from the car park into the shopping centre, suddenly feeling a bit wobbly on their feet.

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Since its opening more than a decade ago, shoppers have reported a dizzy or even nauseous sensation when crossing the bridge, which looms above the busy traffic on Temple Way. Its quirky design is based around a frame of purposely 'wonky' metal arches, which tilt to the right as people progress towards House of Fraser.

It seems to create a bit of an unsettling optical illusion, which even regular users of the car park still can't seem to get used to. Bristol Live posted an archive photo on Facebook last weekend, showing the bridge under construction back in 2008 and noting how it later made headlines for the effect its design had on shoppers.

Hundreds of people responded agreeing that it still happens to this day. One commenter, David, wrote: "'I felt as though I was becoming sea sick the first time I crossed - and every time since!" A different David recalled working on the construction of the bridge, writing: "I remember doing the pour for the foundations an when the bridge got put in. We walked it we as construction workers laughed."

Another commenter, Michelle, revealed her rather drastic approach to making safe passage. She shared: "I hate this bridge, my kids think it’s hilarious as I can only walk across it with my eyes shut holding onto one of them. I’ve tried but I cannot walk in a straight line otherwise and it makes me feel so sick!"

Alice agreed: "Makes me feel nauseous. I either have to walk in the middle with my head down and eyes half-closed with someone guiding me or just go to the ground level and cross the road!"

Several seasoned shoppers shared tips with their coping mechanisms, with a couple saying it really helps to look at the floor rather than straight ahead. Some said they avoid it altogether - "I hate this bridge that why I park in the Galleries!" said Tracey.

It seems not everyone is affected by the strange tilting sensation lots of people experience, however. Julia commented: "Have to hang onto grandchildren to cross this bridge, and end up pushing them into the side. It only affects two of us, Very unpleasant feeling."

Others were curious about the science behind the responses, with Louise-Lou suggesting: "Because what our eyes perceive as the ‘roof’ is at different angles it tells our brain the floor must also be at that angle." A couple of people said they enjoy walking across it, like Mikkellaa who shared: "I love this bridge, injects a bit of fun into something that would otherwise be mundane."

In 2009 it even received a commendation in the Steel Construction.org design awards, which recognises design excellence across the UK. The commendation described the 90m bridge as a "dynamic counterpoint to the flanking buildings" offering a "fluid three dimensional form".

It continued: "The deck is supported at mid span and at each end on tapered cantilevering raking steel columns orientated in alternating directions. This creates a transitional shape from a structurally effective form and simply definable geometric parameters.

"The steel frames are portalised laterally to provide the principal axis of stability, while out of plane, the frames work compositely to cantilever from the main deck. This stability system can accommodate the vertical and lateral deflections of the bridge, while maintaining stability of the glass panes."