In June work to remove paint from the lattice girders running along the outer length of the bridge continued, with almost two thirds of the ironwork facing the footway being stripped clean. Coats of primer and undercoat are currently being applied and a topcoat of the bridge’s signature ‘flake grey’ is to be added soon, with painting work continuing here throughout July.
Access to both of the bridge’s towers is now in place as Connollys Scaffolding have installed a system to allow workers to remove old and redundant cabling installed for previous illumination schemes, and to begin installing the wiring for the new illuminations. You will notice a ‘three lift tower’ (a scaffolding structure with three platforms) in the arches of the towers that is accessed by our workers from a temporary staircase constructed at the base of each of the bridge’s own towers. You’ll also notice something very unusual if you’re visiting at night: the 3,072 LED bulbs making up the bridge’s iconic illuminations have now been switched off and will not be back until 2025. All of the lighting fixtures clamped to the chains in 2006 and their wiring must be removed to allow painting to take place. Once fresh paint has been applied, an entitrely new system will be fixed into place, which will look a lot tidier. You can read more about the new architectural lighting here. Cabling works are also taking place underneath the bridge deck from the mobile gantry – and at ground level as paving slabs are being removed at the Leigh Woods side of the bridge for the installation of new cabling ducts. The slabs will be relaid once this work is complete.
Further scaffolding has been installed close to the ‘land’ chain anchorages (the point at which the bridge’s chains meet the ground) to begin begin the installation of painting pods. In the middle of the bridge on the North (closed) footway, a 20 metre long ‘independent’ scaffolding structure is providing safe access to the ‘sea’ chains (which curve across the gorge) for the same purpose. Once the pods have been installed, off-peak lane closures will be in place during July to protect the crew as they work at low level on the chains overhanging the roadway. Painting pods will be installed at both sides of the bridge as well as in the centre of the main span and will be moving up the chains toward the towers as work progresses.
Works will continue in August, when two bridge closures will take place:
- The bridge will be closed to vehicles from 7.00pm on Friday 2nd August to 7.00am on Monday 5th August.
- Further closures for vehicles and pedestrians take place on Friday 9th August and Saturday 10th August from 6pm to midnight for Balloon Fiesta Night Glows.