Pill Lifeboat Station
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The lifeboat station at Pill had a relatively short lifespan, ultimately brought to a close by a number of factors. The announcement in 1969 of the intended closure of Bristol Docks, and the construction of the [[Royal Portbury Docks]] from 1972, brought about a gradual decline in river traffic, and a reduction in the need for pilots, who were also lifeboat crew.{{cite web |title=The Seven Ages of Bristol Docks |url=https://bristolcitydocks.co.uk/the-seven-ages-of-bristol-docks/ |website=Bristol City Docks |access-date=19 April 2026}} |
The lifeboat station at Pill had a relatively short lifespan, ultimately brought to a close by a number of factors. The announcement in 1969 of the intended closure of Bristol Docks, and the construction of the [[Royal Portbury Docks]] from 1972, brought about a gradual decline in river traffic, and a reduction in the need for pilots, who were also lifeboat crew.{{cite web |title=The Seven Ages of Bristol Docks |url=https://bristolcitydocks.co.uk/the-seven-ages-of-bristol-docks/ |website=Bristol City Docks |access-date=19 April 2026}} |
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By December 1973, the Institution was already considering relocating the station to [[Portishead]], due to the severe silting of the river. The silting caused operational difficulties, with the boat being unable to launch on certain tides, and the high proportion of mud in suspension in the water was causing problems with the engines.{{cite news |title=Transfer plans for Lifeboat Station |work=Bristol Evening Post |date=6 December 1973 |page=13 }} |
By December 1973, the Institution was already considering relocating the station to [[Portishead, Somerset|Portishead]], due to the severe silting of the river. The silting caused operational difficulties, with the boat being unable to launch on certain tides, and the high proportion of mud in suspension in the water was causing problems with the engines.{{cite news |title=Transfer plans for Lifeboat Station |work=Bristol Evening Post |date=6 December 1973 |page=13 }} |
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However, it was the opening of the new [[Avonmouth Bridge]] in May 1974, which indirectly brought about the closure of the lifeboat station. Besides the vehicle traffic carried over the bridge along the [[M5 motorway]], the bridge also featured a footpath and cycle-way alongside the road, and this inevitably resulted in the demise of the Pill Ferry, operating for the last time on 1 November 1974. With the mooring for the lifeboat no longer available, nobody on hand every day to keep an eye on the lifeboat, and no commercial reason to clear the area of silt, the station was closed. |
However, it was the opening of the new [[Avonmouth Bridge]] in May 1974, which indirectly brought about the closure of the lifeboat station. Besides the vehicle traffic carried over the bridge along the [[M5 motorway]], the bridge also featured a footpath and cycle-way alongside the road, and this inevitably resulted in the demise of the Pill Ferry, operating for the last time on 1 November 1974. With the mooring for the lifeboat no longer available, nobody on hand every day to keep an eye on the lifeboat, and no commercial reason to clear the area of silt, the station was closed. |
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