13 August 2008
Tower Bridge repainting works
The start of the Tower Bridge repaint has been delayed. When
work commences, it will take place in phases, ensuring only one
section of the bridge is affected at any one time. Phase one,
lasting half a year, will cover the steelwork of the South Approach
Span, the span between the south (Southwark) bank and the South
Main Tower.
In order to keep residents, workers and visitors abreast of
developments regarding the project, we will be offering written and
visual updates on this website.
Below are artist’s impressions of the wrapped scaffolding that
will cover the bridge throughout phase one.
View from the East (482kb)
View from the West (440kb)
Work on the central and northern spans are included in later
phases and will not take place this year.
Bridge Director David Wight said: "After a great deal of
preparation, we are about to start work on a three-year programme
to repaint Tower Bridge.
"It’s vital to ensure this important London landmark, built in
1894, stays in good working order for decades to come - for all of
us to use and enjoy."
Pedestrians and vehicles can still use the bridge, Tower Bridge
Exhibition remains open (see
www.towerbridge.org.uk)
and views from the high-level Walkway remain unaffected this year.
However, during the first phase, pedestrian footpaths on the South
Side will have to be re-routed.
The repainting project is especially challenging as the bridge
is not only a major historic monument, engineering marvel and
tourist attraction, but a key traffic and pedestrian route which
must open and close regularly to allow ships to pass on the Thames
into the Pool of London. More than 40,000 motorists and
pedestrians, for example, use the bridge every day. Some disruption
and inconvenience is inevitable during the 44,000 working-hours
required to remove the old paint and apply 22,000 litres of new
blue, white and red paint.
The new Tower Bridge paintwork is expected to last 25 years
(with a top-up halfway) and is essential maintenance for the bridge
to stay in full working order. The scaffolding will be carefully
wrapped to make sure old paint does not fall in the Thames.
Although the budget for this specialist task is more than £4
million, it will cost taxpayers nothing at all as the five City
bridges are provided and maintained by the City of London under a
trust that dates back 800 years.
Ends
FAQs
Q: Why has there been a delay to the start of works on
site?
A: The repainting of Tower Bridge is a complicated and unique
project and settling the details of exactly how it will proceed is
essential and important. At present it looks as if there will be a
delay commencing on site but as soon as we have a confirmed date we
will issue a full update to all.
Q: I am visiting Tower Bridge Exhibition but am worried the
views from the High-Level Walkways up and down the Thames will be
spoiled. What can I see?
A: Most of the enclosed scaffolding work during the whole three
years will have no effect on the main river views from the Walkways
and much will not even be visible from there. More details will be
published later but there is little chance of views from the
Walkways being affected until work on that part of the structure
begins, probably in 2010.
Q: I have an event booked near to Tower Bridge in autumn 2008
and am concerned that the view of the bridge will be obscured. What
will the works look like to my guests and in my photos?
A: The first half-year of works involves erecting enclosed
scaffolding around the steelwork on the south-west side of the
bridge. A version of this can already be seen on Southwark Bridge
(near Cannon Street railway station). As detailed above, the
initial scaffolding will cover the steelwork stretching from the
South Main Tower to the Southwark side of the Thames. During this
first phase, the south-west steelwork is painted first, then under
the bridge on the south side, then the south-east steelwork. Phase
2 will begin in May 2009. Many views will thus be entirely
unaffected as will be the case through most of the works.
Q: I have an event booked near to Tower Bridge during the three
year repainting period; what will the works look like on that
particular date and how will I find out?
A Details of the work from May 2009 onwards will be clearer by the
end of 2008.
Q. To what extent will the scaffolding works affect the
appearance of Tower Bridge? What will happen when?
A The work will not be "all over" the Bridge at any one time.
Instead it will be phased and works will be undertaken section by
section. The enclosed scaffolding won’t be used on all parts of the
bridge and the new paint will refresh the current colours of blue
and white.
Q. I am organising an event that uses the Tower Bridge as a road
during the three-year period. Will it still go ahead?
A Most road and pavement use over the four years will not be
affected except during certain, limited periods. No road closures
until further notice.
Q Where can I get the special paint?
A. See www.pyeroy.co.uk
Q. How will river boats be affected?
A. River traffic has priority over road traffic at Tower Bridge, so
river traffic will be largely unaffected until the centre spans or
“bascules” are painted during 2010.
Q Why is Tower Bridge being repainted?
A Tower Bridge needs to be looked after just like any other
structure and in order to maintain its iconic grandeur for future
generations, it is important that we keep it in tip top working
order as well as looking its best. It was last painted in 1993. We
are still considering how to clean the stonework.
Q What about paint and the environment?
A The bridge will be pared back to its steel framework as part of
the repainting but in order to ensure that no old paint drops into
the river, there will be a scaffolding ledge below the bridge that
will collect the falling fragments. This ledge will be vacuumed
every day in order to ensure no debris is deposited into the
water.
Further information will be available later.
Details of bridges in the City of London
Visit the
Tower Bridge website.