September’s weather has been somewhat wetter and windier – but this has not deterred the amazing teams of painters, electricians, joiners, scaffolders and engineers who continue to progress works on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Wind levels have been monitored throughout the project, but this task is particularly important on windy or blustery days. Fortunately, despite the odd thunderstorm or torrential downpour, conditions have allowed works to continue and the painting teams continue to make good progress on the chain refurbishment. You may have noticed that the latchway (the steel cable that our maintenance team clip on to when they walk along the top of the bridge’s chains) was removed to allow the painting to be completed – and this has provided the opportunity to ensure it is also cleaned, checked and refurbished.
At the start of the month, a weekend closure allowed the teams to erect scaffolding platforms on the roadway itself, working at low level to paint the parts of the chains closest to the bridge deck. At the same time, the roadway was cleaned and jetwashed, drains unblocked (thankfully just before the autumn deluges began) and routine bridge inspection work took place.
As we move into the final phases of the project, our adventurous electricians have been working in the arches of the Clifton and Leigh Woods towers, underneath the bridge on the mobile gantry, and on the abutments to progress the installation of brand new LED lighting. New cables and controls for the energy efficient system have been installed – and at the same time paving has been removed, refurbished and relaid to provide a neat and even surface for pedestrians.
Meanwhile, work to replace the handrail on the top of the parapet girder with brand new Accoya wood continues. The old timber has been removed, and new pieces cut and shaped, which will last for the next 50 years.
On Wednesday 29th October, the bridge will be closed to traffic and cyclists between 9.30am and 3.30pm to allow the vital monitoring equipment which protects the bridge from overloading by overweight vehicles to be overhauled, and a new monitoring system installed. As the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust seek to maximise the opportunities created by any necessary closures, at the same time, further low level painting works will be completed, and maintenance will be carried out on the toll barriers.
All of the essential works to prolong the working life of the Clifton Suspension Bridge have been funded by your tolls. Thank you for ensuring the longevity of this engineering masterpiece for generations to come. Don’t forget to have your say in our toll consultation – open for comment until 7th November. Thank you!