The Grade 2 listed Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn is currently undergoing a major £3M restoration project.
Originally opened in 1959 and then initially known simply as the Runcorn Bridge or Runcorn–Widnes Bridge. At the time of construction, the bridge had the third longest steel arch span in the world. It had the longest vehicular span in the country, but this record was held for only a few weeks until the Tamar Bridge was completed. Between 1975–77 it was widened, after which it was given its official name in honour of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
The video above captured by a drone shows the sheer scale and extent of the current scaffolding works being installed on the steel arch of the bridge by Lyndon Scaffolding.
The UK’s largest independent scaffolding contractor is already five months into the project which they say is one of the most complex and challenging projects they have ever undertaken. Lyndon’s are providing access for painting and grit blasting on the bridge for Balvac, a subsidiary of the multinational infrastructure group Balfour Beatty.
Lyndon Scaffolding’s CEO Rob Lynch said: “Over the next 12 months the 330m steel arch bridge, which was originally opened in 1959 will be repainted and refurbished. The scaffold was designed in-house by Lyndon Scaffolding with the main spans erected using 1.3 metre deep heavy duty alloy beams.
“Over the next few months, the scaffold will be stripped and re-erected climbing to the top of the arch, some 87 metres above the river. A ‘proper’ scaffolding job and one for which only the best scaffolders are suited.”