PAINTING the Runcorn bridge is causing long tailbacks of traffic.

Further delays are expected this weekend as workers will be using high pressure water jets to remove paint.

This work started on July 19 and will take 16 weeks to complete.

Contractors are using elevated working platforms mounted on the carriageway to reach the lower parts of the top chord.

This work is taking place at weekends and requires lane closures.

Work on the higher part is being done from harness cradles suspended from metal gantries and is being carried out during the week and does not affect traffic flow.

Once the old paint is removed, repainting will be carried dout.

Bridge painting is an ongoing process -this is the second painting contract undertaken this year.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.