This is an age-old regulation whose origins are uncertain.
But that didn’t stop workers sticking to it this week, as evidenced by the pictured bale of hay hanging from London’s Millennium Bridge.
The century-old regulation in question is on the Port of London Authority’s 2012 regulatory list.
They talk about how when the bridge clearance is reduced – as was the case this week due to the presence of suspended engineers – a bundle of hay must be hung during the day to alert river traffic below.
Contractors were carrying out urgent repairs to the intersection, which was closed for three weeks from Saturday.
The Millennium Bridge was featured in the 2009 film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where it collapsed into the River Thames during a Death Eater attack.
It also appears in the 2014 Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy during a battle scene.
This is an age-old regulation whose origins are uncertain. But that didn’t stop workers sticking to it this week, as evidenced by the pictured bale of hay hanging from London’s Millennium Bridge.
Contractor Robert prepares to lower the hay bale from the bridge so that it is visible below
The £18.2 million bridge, also known as the Wobbly Bridge, connects Tate Modern with St Paul’s Cathedral.
Just three days after it opened in 2000, it was forced to close as it buckled under the weight of thousands of pedestrians.
Regulations of the Port of London Authority state: “Where the clearance of any arch or span of a bridge is reduced from its normal limits, but that arch or span is not closed to navigation, the person in charge of the bridge must: the bridge hangs from it.” in the middle of the bridge This arch or spans a bundle of straw large enough to catch the eye during the day and produce a white light at night.
When the hay was spotted on Twitter, owners the City Bridge Foundation said: “In keeping with a centuries-old tradition (and the Thames Byelaws of the Port of London), a bundle of straw will be hung from the Millennium Bridge to protect shipping from working under the.” Bridge to warn.” Bridge (us). Honestly, I don’t make it up.’
In their photos, contractor Robert can be seen lowering the hay over the side of the bridge with a rope.
Maintenance crews must replace the deteriorating synthetic membrane that separates the bridge’s steel structure from the aluminum bridge deck
The Millennium Bridge leads from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Tate Modern across the River Thames
The £18.2 million building in London closed on Saturday and will remain closed until November 5 at the latest
Maintenance crews must replace the deteriorating synthetic membrane that separates the bridge’s steel structure from the aluminum bridge deck.
Its owners, the City Bridge Foundation, said the problem needed to be “urgently addressed” as the structure was “aging”, stressing: “We need to get this job done.”
Signposted pedestrian diversion routes will be in place during the closure, directing pedestrians across Southwark Bridge to the east and Blackfriars Bridge to the west.
The work will be carried out 24 hours a day by contractor FM Conway, but the City Bridge Foundation said no power tools would be used between 9pm and 8am to reduce noise.
During the closure, the structure will also undergo a thorough cleaning.
When it was forced to close shortly after opening on June 10, 2000, engineers spent months working on a solution before submitting a report in September of that year.
The bridge is famous for its role in the 2009 film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
In the scene in the Harry Potter film, it falls into the Thames after a Death Eater attack
The bridge also appears in the 2014 Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy during a battle scene
In February 2001, the Millennium Bridge Trust announced that it had raised the £5 million needed to make the necessary changes to the structure.
Repairs began in May of the same year and were completed in January 2002. The bridge reopened the following month after a series of tests to ensure the problem was fixed.
The modifications included a series of shock-absorbing dampers – usually under the deck – intended to limit the movement of the bridge to an acceptable level.
It was the capital’s first pedestrian-only bridge and the first new river crossing in central London in more than 100 years, since Tower Bridge in 1894.
The structure is the fifth City of London bridge under the responsibility of the City Bridge Foundation and links Southwark, Tower, Blackfriars and London Bridges.
Giles Shilson, chairman of the City Bridge Foundation, said yesterday: “Since its opening to celebrate the new millennium, the bridge has become a much-loved and well-used part of the London landscape, but it is starting to show its age. ”
Miss Universe models pose on the Millennium Bridge before the finals in August 2009
Then London Mayor Boris Johnson on the Millennium Bridge with Strictly stars Erin Boag and Bruno Tonioli in 2008
Architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano attempted to drive sheep over the Millennium Bridge in June 2006.
Engineers work to repair the Millennium Bridge in November 2000
When it opened in 2000, the bridge swayed under the weight of thousands of pedestrians
The design team (from left) of Tony Fitzpatrick, Lord Foster and Sir Anthony Caro in June 2000
The Daily Mail’s report on the closure of the “wobbly” Millennium Bridge in June 2000
“The separation layer under the bridge deck is starting to deteriorate, which means it has a negative impact on the bridge deck and needs to be urgently addressed.”
“Replacing this shift is a time-consuming process, so we have no choice but to close the bridge for three weeks and work around the clock to get it done as quickly as possible.”
“We apologize for any inconvenience, but we hope people understand that we have to do this work and that they will see the benefits after we give the bridge a much-needed deep clean to make it look as good as it can again.” new.’
The 900-year-old organization was set up to collect tolls on London Bridge and now maintains the five bridges, which it says is done at no cost to taxpayers.
His fortune is said to have grown so large in 1995 that he was allowed to donate part of his annual profits to charity – and now gives away an average of £30m a year.
Source link
James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
