In Pictures: Tower Bridge restoration
Tower Bridge is one year into a three-year restoration project that will see it stripped of its traditional paintwork and repainted blue and white.
The City Bridge Trust, which looks after Tower Bridge, is funding the £4m project. Erecting the scaffolding around the South East Suspension Chain: 14 January 2009.
The bridge is being wrapped up in sections to catch falling paint from polluting the Thames. Envirowraps sheeting being fixed around the scaffolding to form a seamless enclosure: 30th January 2009
22,000 litres of paint will be used to restore the traditional blue and paint colour that dates back to 1894. Light blue paint being applied to the South East Suspension Chain: 12th March 2009
Contractors are working on a quarter of the bridge at a time to minimise disruption, although it will need to close for several months in winter 2010. Picking out the Tracery on the Cast Iron Bridge Parapet: 18th March 2009.
40,000 motorists and pedestrians cross Tower Bridge every day. The scaffolding being dismantled on the long section of the South East Suspension Chain: 30th March 2009
The new paint will last for 25 years, although it will need topping up after 12 years. Painting the shield on the South East Bridge Parapet: 22nd April 2009
Clare Thomas, City Bridge Trust Chief Grants Officer, called the restorations "a tribute to London's past". Scaffwraps being positioned on the scaffolding around the North East Suspension Chain: 28th May 2009
The City Bridge Trust also looks after London, Southwark, Blackfriars and Millennium Bridges. Iron Silicate Grit being poured into the blast pot: 16th June 2009.
Tower Bridge is the only bridge in London that can be raised and is one of the capital's most recognisable landmarks. The restoration is due to be completed in 2011. A view from 'The Queens Walk': 3rd September 2008
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