It appears the phrase “like painting the Forth Bridge” may have to be consigned to history, as a decade-long project to paint and repair the structure has finally been completed.
Network Rail says the £130 million programme means the bridge will now not need a full paint job for at least 20 years, finally putting to rest the comparison with never-ending tasks the world over.
The 125-year-old bridge has been covered in around 250,000 litres of a specialist paint designed to last 25 years, and is now clear of scaffolding for the first time in a decade, with a total of over 1,500 people having worked on the refurbishment project.
A public viewing area at the North Queensferry side of the bridge will be restored early next year, and “a small team of specialists and engineers will continue to monitor and maintain the bridge” in the years ahead.
For more information visit networkrail.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
