Thanks to the hot weather, the bridge refurbishment works continue at pace – and fast drying times have meant that there’s even been time to allow some intrepid reporters to experience what it’s like when working at height. (The appeal of this really depends on your feelings about standing on a flexible structure 100 metres above the river – but some folk are rather keen to try it!) This month, the story behind the works (plus some amazing images) were featured in Bristol 24/7, The Guardian, and ITV West Country.
With works taking place day and night, once scaffolding ‘painting pods’ have been installed, the project follows a familiar pattern:
1. Remove old lighting and communication cables
2. Jetwash the bridge chains to remove dirt, moss and loose debris
3. Prepare the surfaces of the iron chains by removing loose paint flakes with hand tools
4. Paint on the first coat of primer
5. Follow this with a mid and top coat
6. Add anti skid paint to the top of the chains (to help with grip when workers have to walk the chains)
With a section complete, scaffolders work overnight to deconstruct and reconstruct the ‘painting pods’ in the next location, and the process begins all over again!
Of course, there is also work to be done to keep the Victorian parapet girder (which runs the length of the footway) in good condition. This is usually topped with a handrail made from Accoya wood (a type of sustainable hardwood that can last up to 50 years outdoors), which has been removed to allow full access to the ironwork, ensuring that every part of the historic iron can be properly treated and painted. With primer and paint applied to the upper surface, a new Accoya wood rail can be installed. Once complete, it will be topped with a steel plate, which allows the under-deck maintenance gantry to slide smoothly along the length of the bridge so the maintenance team can access all parts of the underside for inspections and other works.
As happens every year, a bridge closure was necessary for the protection of the high volumes of pedestrians leaving the Balloon Fiesta Nightglow event, and this year this meant that the painting team had a limited opportunity to carry out tasks that would not be possible with vehicles crossing the bridge. As well as working on the low level sections of chains, maintenance crew came in to jetwash the gutters on either side of the roadway. Commuters, please note that there will be a further closure to all vehicles from 7pm on Friday 5th September to 7am on Monday 8th September as the refurbishment works continue. We thank you for your patience.
