North Bridge renovation nears completion

North Bridge renovation nears completion.
Exclusive:The remarkable transformation of one of Edinburgh's most famous bridges revealed

After eight years being shrouded in white plastic and scaffolding, one of Edinburgh’s most famous bridges is to finally re-emerge with stunning new paintwork after an £86 million overhaul.

The project to refurbish North Bridge, which spans Waverley Station between the Old and New Towns, will cost four times as much and take four times as long as the original estimate when it is completed next year because it was found to be in significantly worse condition than expected.

But a wow factor lies in store for those missing the sight of the familiar arches for so long when the wraps come off the structure, as The Scotsman saw at first hand in a behind-the-scenes tour of the work on Wednesday.

The original Victorian ornamentation on the sides of the bridge, such as hanging fruit and flowers, shine out in gold, red, blue and black hues.

City council transport convener Stephen Jenkinson helping with the painting work on North Bridge on Wednesday
City council transport convener Stephen Jenkinson helping with the painting work on North Bridge on Wednesday | John Devlin/The Scotsman
Meantime, a memorial erected in 1906 to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on the bridge’s eastern parapet is being painstakingly restored using hot water and toothbrush-size tools.

Comprising figures of four soldiers, it commemorates the regiment’s part in conflicts including in Afghanistan, Egypt and South Africa between 1878 and 1902.

City council transport convener Stephen Jenkinson and Balfour Beatty project manager Rory McFadden with a memorial to the King's Own Scottish Borderers being refurbished on the bridge
City council transport convener Stephen Jenkinson and Balfour Beatty project manager Rory McFadden with a memorial to the King's Own Scottish Borderers being refurbished on the bridge | John Devlin/The Scotsman
Two-way traffic on the bridge was restored in March after a six-week northbound closure.

However, only one third of the width of the bridge remains in use, with two narrow traffic lanes and the pavement on the west side open for pedestrians.

Only one third of the bridge width is open during the latest phase o f the work

Once the project is complete, the social enterprise Hidden Cities, which trains homeless people as tour guides, is planning to add the bridge to the tours of the city it offers.

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In one of the most remarkable aspects to the project, a 165m long access platform for future maintenance of the underside of the bridge has been assembled from 60,000 pieces that were passed through 0.9m long manhole covers in the bridge deck.