During the night-time road closures, specialist painting contractors have been removing the defective Top Coat and repainting the Arches on the North and South Towers. Specialist contractors working on the North Arch Removing the defective Top Coat The South Arch Applying undercoat to the rivets under the South Arch Applying the blue finish coat on the South Arch Applying the blue finish coat  Read More →

Both of the ALPS Space Frame platforms have now been raised into place on the west walkway. To move each platform, ALPS installs four double reeved 1000Kg electric traction hoists, these are double reeved and generate a total of 8000Kg of lifting and lowering capacity. ALPS install four independent secondary safety devises, these protect and back up the lifting systems. The speed the ALPS platform... 

Work is now well underway on repainting the East Walkway. The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge for future generations. Applying grey undercoat around the window frames Applying the blue finish coat to the grid floor on the East Walkway Painting the Walkways using the Side Access Cradle  Read More →

42 metres above the River Thames, specailist contractors have erected Side Access Platforms to each side of the East Walkway. Repainting the high-level walkways will take approximately five months to complete. The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge for future generations. The Side Access Cradle One of the 12.0 x 7.5... 

The two Alloy Space Frame platforms (cradles) were moved to the centre of the East Walkway on Saturday night to allow the cruise ship, Silver Cloud to pass through the raised Tower Bridge. Alloy Space Frame platforms Two teams of 4 ALPS operatives carried out the platform traversing operation, which involved the removal of the four rear hangers, then propel the platform forwards using 2 hauling and... 

Work is now well underway on removing the defective coatings from under the East Walkway of Tower Bridge. The defective coatings (rust and paint) are being removed using needle guns. The tool itself uses an electrical current to rotate needles at varying speeds against the metallic surface to slowly chip away at the numerous layers of paint and rust. Watch needle gun video Pyeroy, using a needle gun... 

Painting contractor Pyeroy, start work on the East Walkway of Tower Bridge. Steve, working on the external cross bracing External Cross Bracing with defective Top Coat removed. Awaiting final sanding. Steve, removing the defective Top Coat.  Read More →

We take our first look inside the cradles, which sit under the East Walkway of Tower Bridge. The temporary access staircase, which is now covered with debris netting Cradle number two and a bundle of straw. Port of London Authority by-laws require a bundle of straw to be suspended from the bridge to alert mariners to the reduced headroom. The two cradles under the East Walkway fitted with blue debris... 

Both cradles have now been assembled and positioned under the East Walkway. Close-up of the second cradle under the East Walkway The two cradles under the East Walkway as seen from London Bridge  Read More →

The first cradle arrives by lorry, which is then assembled during the night and the early hours of the morning on Tower Bridge. Abseiler Kevin, attaches steel cables to the clamps under the East Walkway and the first cradle is lifted into position. The cradle arrives by lorry on Tower Bridge The cradle is then assembled on the back of the lorry The team work through the night and the early hours assembling...