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…like painting the Forth Bridge (British) If repairing or improving something is like painting the Forth Bridge, it takes such a long time that by the time you have finished doing it, you have to start again. ‘Home improvements are a bit like painting the Forth Bridge. By the time you've finished the kitchen, the bathroom needs decorating and so it goes on.‘ Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms © Cambridge University Press 1998 Contractors: Our main contractor is Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering based in Edinburgh who have engaged four main sub-contractors - Pyeroy, specialists in painting ; SGB, specialists in scaffolding ; RBG Ltd, specialists in steel repairs, and ThyssenKrupp Palmers Ltd who facilitate for all three activities. General: Currently 200 people work on the Bridge on a daily basis – many of whom are locally based. Scope of the Works: The painting process involves erecting scaffold access systems and screening the area to be panted to prevent debris affecting or contaminating the surrounding environment. · Old paint is removed using an abrasive blasting preparation and the steel coated with an industrial protective coating system. The paint used to coat the bridge is a specialist glass flake epoxy paint, similar to that used in the offshore oil industry and designed to last at least 20 years. We however, expect it to last much longer and up to 30 years Leighs Paints of Bolton is the supplier of this specialist paint. Repairs and replacement of walkways including the installation of new walkways and catwalks to allow for access to the works and to assist in the examination of the bridge. Steel repairs - replacing small localised sections of steel where required Painting Method: Essentially each section to be painted is surrounded by scaffolding and then encased in a “film like” material. The purpose of this is to capture all the debris from the removal of the old paint and from any steel repair work. This also provides a controlled and protected environment within which coatings can be applied and allowed to cure. We are very conscious of all our environmental responsibilities and have imposed stringent control measures to make sure we are protecting the surrounding environment , including the Firth of Forth. After thorough cleaning paint is applied both by airless spray and by hand in areas of particularly difficult access. Our first priority is safety of our own workforce and contractors e.g. each blaster/painter is kitted out with full breathing apparatus and specialist protective clothing for the job, including regular health monitoring. Progress: Work has progressed dependant on two key issues: the urgency of the repairs and balancing the scaffolding loads efficiently. Currently the bridge supports approximately 4,000 tonnes of scaffolding. Year I (02/03) works completed circa 11,000m2 equivalent Year 2 (03-04) works completed circa 21,000m2 equivalent Year 3 (04-05) works completed circa 31,000m2 equivalent Year 4 (05-06) works completed circa 33,000m2 equivalent Year 5 (06-07) works completed circa 38,000m2 equivalent Year 6 (07-08) works complete circa 31,000m2 equivalent Bridge Possession No disruption to passenger services across the bridge is planned between now and 2012 to complete the restoration and painting works