Refurbishment of 'Brunel's gem' Royal Albert Bridge

[John Ashworth]

Refurb work is going well on Brunel's gem

Monday, January 23, 2012 Plymouth Herald

WORK under way on the historic Royal Albert Bridge is progressing well, says Network Rail.

The first phase on the multi-million pound project, an extensive refurbishment of the rail bridge including strengthening and repainting the main two spans, started last year.

More details on the work will be revealed by Network Rail, which became new owners and custodians of the Royal Albert Bridge in 2010, in the summer when the first phase is expected to be completed.

In the meantime workers have used 192 tonnes of grit blast, 2,800 litres of paint and spent approximately 50,000 man hours on the project so far.

The bridge, opened in 1859, stands as a testament to the engineering genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

It is regarded by some as one of the greatest bridges in the world, with its unique design, unequalled in engineering.

In 2009, Saltash celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of the bridge.