During the night-time road closures, the bascules were raised to expose the defective parts that cannot be reached when the bascules are in the down position. Each bascule weighs over 1,000 tons and can be raised to an angle of 86 degrees. The repainting of Tower Bridge was completed in March 2011. Tower Bridge during the night time road closures in September 2010  Read More →

A short video showing the specialist painting contractors applying a second coat of light blue paint on the west side of the bascule and black paint being applied to the tracery on the bridge balustrade.  Read More →

Specialist painting contractors have nearly finished repainting the bascules and the west balustrade. Later next week, Contractors will start to remove the special polyethylene wraps and dismantle the scaffolding surrounding the bascules. Applying a second coat of light blue paint to the west bascule   Applying black paint to the tracery on the bridge balustrade   The bascules surrounded by polyethylene... 

With the bascules fixed in the lowered position, specialist painting contractors have now removed the old paintwork and applied the white finish coat to the bascules and balustrade. This short video shows the contractors sealing the joints (caulking) and applying dark blue paint to the balustrade.  Read More →

Specialist painting contractors are now restoring the South West Turnstile and the fencing surrounding the Control Cabin on the South Tower. The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge for future generations.  Read More →

Work on erecting the scaffolding around the bascules nears completion.  Specialist painting contractors have now started to restore the South West Turnstile and the fencing surrounding the Control Cabin on the South Tower. The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge for future generations. Tower Bridge as seen from outside... 

Work is now underway on erecting the scaffolding around the Tower Bridge bascules, the ‘see-saw’ elements of the road. This means that there will be no Bridge Lifts for vessels taking place until the end of March when the work is due to be completed. Images taken: 04/11/2010 The Bascules (looking north) Scaffolding being erected under the North Bascule Scaffolder Erecting the scaffolding... 

A short video shot during one of the night-time bridge closures, showing abseilers working under the Walkways and the transfer of the ALPS Space Frame Platforms (cradles) from the East to the West Walkway.  Read More →

A short video showing the two ALPS Space Frame Platforms under the West Walkway, specialist contractors moving the mobile elevating work platforms (speeded up) across Tower Bridge, painting under the arches, lowering one of the ALPS Space Frame Platforms, abseiler removing the defective paint work from a Corbel on the South Tower, scaffolding being dismantled  between the two Walkways and one of... 

During the night-time bridge closures, the bascules were raised to facilitate the painting of areas inaccessible when the Bridge is in its down position. With this work now completed, scaffolding will be erected around the underside of the bascules from 2 November, this means that there will be no Bridge Lifts for vessels taking place until the end of March when the work is due to be completed.  Read More →