Tourists get sneak peak of new red Iron Bridge
Eagle-eyed tourists are getting their first sneak peek at the new colour of the world famous Iron Bridge.
Workers are slowly re-painting the landmark bridge in its original red-brown hue, with a full reveal expected by the end of the year.
It follows months of forensic investigation by English Heritage, who are restoring the bridge to its former glory.
They took the opportunity to find samples of paint from across the centuries in the hopes of being able to return it to how it would have originally been seen. A team of six painters will use 2,400 litres of paint to finish the project.
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It is hoped the new coat will help protect the historic ironwork in a similar way to the paint system used on the Forth Bridge, in Scotland.
The work is being done as part of a £3.6 million conservation project by English Heritage.
It is the single largest conservation project undertaken by the charity since 2015. The work was started after extensive surveys of the area revealed that the historic structure was under threat from cracking due to stresses in the ironwork dating from the original construction, ground movement over the centuries, and an earthquake in the 19th century.
The project began in autumn 2017, and the charity says that conservation of the different elements of the bridge is well under way. A protective layer of primer has been used across the bridge to prevent corrosion, and replacement iron wedges have been cast and are being fitted.
