Vital Renovation Works for Forth Bridge Approaches

Network Rail has begun work on a £7.5m project to refurbish and repaint the North Queensferry approach span to the world famous Forth Bridge.

The refurbishment work is being undertaken by Balfour Beatty.

The north approach span, which carries the railway over North Queensferry, will be repainted with the same glass-flake epoxy paint system used to restore the bridge itself during the decade-long, £130m refurbishment programme completed by Network Rail, and main contractor Balfour Beatty, in 2011.

Engineers are encapsulating the approach span in a protective scaffold casing before grit-blasting the layers of old paint off the steelwork to allow inspections to take place. The grit blasting is due to commence early in the new year.

The metal will then be repaired and repainted. The new paint system will mean the steel will not need repainted for up to two decades.

Balfour Beatty will also undertake a range of other works as part of the contract – including maintenance and monitoring of the bridge bearings, refurbishment of staff welfare facilities on the structure and refurbishment of the Inchgarvie lighthouse.

The refurbishment works will be completed without disruption to train services.