16 April 2008
Details announced about Tower Bridge renovation works
More details on the works announced for Tower Bridge are to be
finalised by the early summer, according to the City of London
Corporation.
But answers to many common questions asked by the public are
already available - and more will be added as the project to
repaint the unique structure over four years becomes more
detailed.
"Tower Bridge is unique and the firm undertaking the work needs
to run tests before we finalise how the works will be
programmed," said a spokesman.
"But we expect to have a lot more detail about what will be
happening where by the 1 June - with the core programme beginning
later in the summer."
A list of common questions (and their answers) is below
Ends
FAQs about Tower Bridge repainting works due to start summer
2008 - until spring 2012
Details may change so please check this page
regularly (correct as of 16 April 2008)
More information will be available here after 1 June 2008 - such
as a regularly updated schedule of repainting and road closures as
well as some visual images of the how Tower Bridge could look
during repainting work (NB works won’t start until June/July).
- Q I have an event booked near to Tower Bridge in June
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 Planning for the works has only just started so we don’t have a
detailed schedule as yet but trial works will not start until June.
The main programme is not expected to start until August – but more
will be known after the 1 June so please check this site again
after that date.
- Q I have an event booked near to Tower Bridge during
the 4 year repainting period; what will the works look like on that
particular date and how will I find out?
A After the 1st June, you will be able to check the repainting
schedule on a regular basis. This will let you know when and for
how long the scaffolding will be erected each time a major section
of the bridge is painted.
- Q. How much will the scaffolding works affect the look
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.
Scaffolding won’t be used on all parts of the bridge and the new
paint will refresh the current colours of blue and white. A more
detailed schedule will be available here after 1 June – but that
will need to be adapted over the four years.
- Q. I am organising an event that uses the Tower Bridge
as a road during the four 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
which will begin to be announced after 1 June.
- Q Where and when will the work start?
A After some trial works starting in June, the main programme will
begin with the south side. More details after 1 June.
- Q Can I get involved in tendering for the repainting
project?
A. No – the contract has already been awarded. For more information
on the firm doing the work see www.pyeroy.co.uk
- 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. The first details of the
schedule of works will be available after 1 June.
- 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 it's iconic grandeur for future
generations, it is important that we keep it in tip top working
order as well as looking its best.
- Q What about paint and the environment?
A The bridge will be pared back to its metal framework before the
repainting commences but in order to ensure that no 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.
For other details see an earlier press release
/Corporation/media_centre/files2008/TB_facelift.htm