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Forth Bridge painting 'is coming to an end' | Forth Bridge painting 'is coming to an end' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The painting of the Forth Bridge, a job that is famously never finished, is about to come to an end. | The painting of the Forth Bridge, a job that is famously never finished, is about to come to an end. |
Network Rail, which manages the bridge, said contractors will leave the iconic structure in December and will not need to paint it again for 25 years. | Network Rail, which manages the bridge, said contractors will leave the iconic structure in December and will not need to paint it again for 25 years. |
After 10 years and more than £130m, the bridge will finally be free of scaffolding. | After 10 years and more than £130m, the bridge will finally be free of scaffolding. |
The current contract is due to be completed ahead of schedule on Friday 9 December 2011. | The current contract is due to be completed ahead of schedule on Friday 9 December 2011. |
New techniques and products are being hailed for the success of the project. | New techniques and products are being hailed for the success of the project. |
A 200-strong team has been applying a triple layer of new glass flake epoxy paint, which is similar to that used in the offshore oil industry. | A 200-strong team has been applying a triple layer of new glass flake epoxy paint, which is similar to that used in the offshore oil industry. |
It creates a chemical bond to provide a virtually impenetrable layer to protect the bridge's steel work from the weather. | It creates a chemical bond to provide a virtually impenetrable layer to protect the bridge's steel work from the weather. |
Much safer | Much safer |
Matti Watson, a blaster paint supervisor, said it was dangerous work when he started painting the bridge in 1971. | Matti Watson, a blaster paint supervisor, said it was dangerous work when he started painting the bridge in 1971. |
He said: "There were rope cradles when I first started with the pulleys. | He said: "There were rope cradles when I first started with the pulleys. |
"Now it's scaffold, which is probably a lot safer for everybody concerned. | "Now it's scaffold, which is probably a lot safer for everybody concerned. |
"A bucket and a brush, that's how it was done. A big round brush and a big bucket. You had to carry them wherever you went. There were no safety belts in those days." | "A bucket and a brush, that's how it was done. A big round brush and a big bucket. You had to carry them wherever you went. There were no safety belts in those days." |
The expression "like painting the Forth Bridge" was coined to describe a never-ending job, one which takes so long that when you have finished it, it is time to start again. | The expression "like painting the Forth Bridge" was coined to describe a never-ending job, one which takes so long that when you have finished it, it is time to start again. |
Colin Hardie, Balfour Beatty construction superintendent, said that "old cliche" was now over. | |
"For the first time in the bridge's history there will be no painters required on the bridge. Job done," he said. | "For the first time in the bridge's history there will be no painters required on the bridge. Job done," he said. |
David Simpson, Network Rail Scotland's route managing director, said: "Over the last decade, the bridge has been restored to its original condition and its new paint will preserve the steelwork for decades to come." | David Simpson, Network Rail Scotland's route managing director, said: "Over the last decade, the bridge has been restored to its original condition and its new paint will preserve the steelwork for decades to come." |
The bridge, which was built between 1883 and 1890, is 1.5 miles long. | The bridge, which was built between 1883 and 1890, is 1.5 miles long. |
The track is about 150ft above the water level and the bridge reaches 330ft at the tops of the towers. | The track is about 150ft above the water level and the bridge reaches 330ft at the tops of the towers. |
The steel structure contains more than 6.5 million rivets. | The steel structure contains more than 6.5 million rivets. |
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