Lane closures on a bridge start tonight while workers repaint part of its structure.

There will be temporary restrictions across Rochester Bridge for the next eight weeks from 9pm until 5am on weeknights.

It will enable engineers to safely repaint the upstream bowstring-shaped trusses of the Old Bridge.

To make the most of the temporary restrictions, other smaller maintenance activities will also be carried out.

The work is set to start tonight (July 15) and will go on for eight weeks, until Monday, September 9.

James Booth, director of bridges at the Rochester Bridge Trust, said: “The disruption caused by the pandemic meant that some less urgent activities had to be removed from the 2020 Rochester Bridge Refurbishment Project.

“To minimise disruption to the public, we are now carrying out a phased re-painting of areas of the bridge that need attention.

“In April 2022 we painted the lower portion of the trusses, and now we are satisfied that activity was a success we are focusing on the upper section of them on the upstream side of the bridge – the side which is most exposed to the elements.

“We appreciate your patience while we carry out these overnight works.”

The Old Bridge, which carries the road from Rochester to Strood, is a reconstruction of the Victorian bridge which was built in 1856. It opened to the public in May 1914 and is approximately 200 metres long.

To read more about the history of Rochester Bridge click here

The maintenance will be carried out by FM Conway at net zero using a variety of carbon-friendly working practices.

Electricity is provided from 100% renewable sources and waste materials are re-used or recycled wherever it is possible to do so.