Thanks to the good weather, the refurbishment of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s South side has progressed at pace this July, and if you have been across more than once you may have noticed that the parapet fence (which runs along the outer edge of the footpath) has been changing colour almost daily as layers of protective paint are added.
The painting teams have also been working day and night on the chains at both high and low levels. High level work takes place in the painting pods which you can see fitted carefully around the bridge’s chains – whilst low level work is mostly done from a standing position on the road or pavement, or by using cherry pickers when possible. During these works, the bridge chains are first jetwashed to remove any dirt or debris and then any loose paint flakes or damaged paintwork is removed using hand tools. With the surface prepared, the team then add a primer, mid coat and top coat to protect the historic iron from moisture in the environment and prevent it from oxidising.
You may also have seen that some of the painting pods are enclosed in mesh, which is used to prevent any of the paint that is removed from leaving the bridge and contaminating the Avon Gorge, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to many rare and nationally scarce plant and animal species. Once this work has been completed, the sheets can be removed.
It’s not only the painting that is taking place! Once the chains have been fully coated, it is the turn of the electricians to move in and install the cabling which will power the bridge’s brand new illuminations! As the energy efficient LEDs are installed you may spot different parts of ther bridge lighting up in the evening as the illuminations are tested and taken through their checks. And in nearby Clifton, the contractors have completed the resurfacing of their compound, preventing the rich soil beneath from being churned up in the event of wet weather.
Finally, a weekend closure at the end of the month allowed the team to bring platform lifts and scaffolding onto the roadway, allowing them to reach the chains at mid height. Working across the length of the structure, the painting team were able to carefully paint between the chain links and reach all the spots that are usually inaccessible to ensure that they are also protected for future generations. This work would not have been possible without the patience of drivers, so thank you all for helping us to preserve the bridge!
Please don’t forget that the bridge will be completely closed to all pedestrians, cyclists and traffic on the evenings of Friday 8th August and Saturday 9th August from 6.00pm until midnight due to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta Night Glow events. The Trust will be using this time to complete necessary inspections and annual maintenance tasks.