Capital Projects:

Current works on site:

The painting platform is currently being assembled on the dropped object canopy and new lifting beams required to support the platform have been erected on the north tower.  It is expected that painting work on the north tower above deck can be finished next summer.  This would complete the painting programme on the main towers.

Background:

Painting of the south tower was completed in 2008 and work to remove the dropped object canopy from the south tower and re-erect it at the north tower was completed in December 2009 using overnight carriageway and limited full bridge closures.

Following the incident in January 2008 when the painting platform was damaged by very strong winds, an investigation was carried out and a review of the design and operation of the platform has been undertaken.  Following this review extensive modifications have been made to the platform flooring and the supporting cable arrangement.  All of the work has been independently checked by consulting engineers Flint and Neil.

The dropped object canopy will be dismantled upon the completion of the of the north tower painting above deck and this will also be the last stage of the main tower painting project.