Clifton burns its bridges - 'will be mist'

The historic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol has announced that it will no longer post on its X social media account, sparking dismay and hilarity in equal measure.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge and Museum, which previously posted on the site formerly known as Twitter under the handle @brunelsbridge, announced on Monday that it would no longer post on the account.

It said that while it ‘has been a wonderful place to engage with our audience over the past 15 years’, the changes made to the platform in recent years had caused it to reconsider its use of it.

It added: ‘With the rise in inappropriate content and decrease in meaningful engagement with our followers, we have chosen to no longer post to this network.’

pic.twitter.com/UIwQ4ZLz3d

— Clifton Suspension Bridge (@brunelsbridge) November 11, 2024

The announcement sparked a rash of comic posts on the platform, including some mocking billionaire Elon Musk, who bought the platform and changed its name to the bafflement of many, while others suggested this may be not be the biggest threat to Mr Musk's business. 

Pugh Himple wrote: ‘Historians will ask, "What were you doing on the day Clifton Suspension Bridge left Twitter?"’

Clifton Suspension Bridge will be mist, after leaving X or Twitter. pic.twitter.com/GKjEFMpAPj

— mike owen (@mikecgowen) November 14, 2024

Not everyone was impressed – or convinced – by the announcement.

The Bridge and Museum, which has used its Twitter/X account for years to promote events and publicise road closures, said the public could keep up to date on its website and that it will also use Facebook and Instagram.