Mystery patriot scales bridge to fly the flag
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AMYSTERY daredevil hung a Union Flag from the top of the Silver Jubilee bridge. The feat came to residents’ attention on Sunday morning, suggesting it had been fixed in place overnight.
Speculation over the motive has included a bet.
A Halton Borough Council spokesman said the local authority was aware of it and had heard a report of a Union Flag also being hung in St Helens.
It was not known whether they were connected.
According to Historic England, the bridge is 1,627 feet long with 1,082ft span.
A University Of Bath study published for an engineering conference in 2007 said the Silver Jubilee Bridge deck stands 24.25m above sea level with a peak arch 86m high or 282.15 ft.
The paper said the wind is stronger at height because it lacks the frictional effects of being near ground level.
It is illegal to climb on the structure without the relevant works permission and a large sign on the walkway warns those considering such an ascent of its illegality.
A Cheshire police spokeswoman said there had been no reports to officers regarding the flag but it was due to be taken down.
It was the second incident in the space of four days involving someone climbing on the bridge.
Police said another incident occurred on Thursday, May 4, in which officers spoke to a man who had started to ascend the bridge with a camera crew in tow.
Cheshire Constabulary has revealed that he claimed to have been chasing after his hat, which he said had blown away.
Speaking last Thursday, a police spokesman said officers were called by a member of the public at 9.04am over concern for the climber’s safety.
He came down and police spoke to him.
On Twitter, Widnes resident Jon Kenna said there were four police cars in attendance.
The Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said: “The male was seen going up the bridge but he’s since come down.
“It does appear there’s a film crew with him. It was called in by a member of the public.
“He (the man) was climbing on the bridge.
“Officers have attended and he’s come down from the bridge and he’s speaking to officers. “There’s a film crew with him. “We’re not sure what they’re there for.”
Call Cheshire police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.