Media centre

Tuesday 7 Aug 2007

BBC DOCUMENTARY TO SHED LIGHT ON FORTH BRIDGE RESTORATION

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

An in-depth BBC documentary on the Forth Bridge restoration works is set to provide a unique insight into restoration work taking place on the Forth Bridge. Called Real Men Go Forth, the programme will be shown at 9.30pm on Thursday 16 August on BBC1 Scotland and at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15 August in the rest of the UK as part of a series made by the BBC on men who carry out some of the country’s most important jobs in extreme locations. The documentary follows scaffolders, blasters, painters and other staff operating on the bridge on a daily basis as they help to restore the Forth Bridge to its full glory. The location filming on the bridge took place over a ten day period during May this year, focussing in on the wide range of activities taking place across the structure. Ian Heigh, Network Rail project manager for the Forth Bridge restoration work commented: "The documentary team was given unprecedented access to the Forth Bridge and used some groundbreaking techniques to film life on the Forth Bridge. In particular, the paint blasting and scaffolding scenes provide and amazing look at the incredible work which the team carries out on a daily basis. "The film reflects the pride and commitment of the men who form the integrated team responsible for maintaining the bridge as well as the stories behind the incredible history of this world famous structure." The existing Forth Bridge restoration contract has now entered its sixth year. It involves a collaborative strategy between bridge owners Network Rail and principal contractors Balfour Beatty. Sub-contractors include Palmers (scaffolding, steelwork repairs ,blasting and painting), Pyroy (blasting and painting), Macgregors (steel work repairs) and SGB (scaffolding). The BBC series starts on Sunday 12 August at 7.00pm with an hour-long programme introducing the series and concentrating on North Sea Saturation Diving called Real Men Under Pressure. The series continues throughout the rest of the week, with the story of High Tension Electricity Pylons – Real Men on High, the Forth Bridge and concludes with a programme on Lighthouses and Lightships - Real Men See The Light. The Forth Bridge is also set to feature on a documentary called 'Britain's Favourite View' (ITV, Sunday 12 August). The programme, which includes a segment on Edinburgh, features Rory Bremner, who visited the top of the Forth Bridge with manager, Ian Heigh.