Bridge of Remembrance clean up under way

24 February 2003

A thorough clean up of the stonework on the Bridge of Remembrance is under way.

The Christchurch City Council has spent the last month working on the bridge’s northern abutment and the main arches. Work on the southern abutment will start next week when the scaffolding has been installed. The work is due for completion mid-March.

It is the first clean up of the stonework in 12 years. Resource consent was required by the City Council to clean the heritage structure.

Christchurch City Council, City Streets project co-ordinator, Gavin Cross, says the bridge’s soft Tasmanian sandstone meant that research and testing had to be carried out before the work began.

“No abrasive chemicals or materials could be used, nor could we sandblast or steam clean the stonework. Instead, a biodegradable organic cleaner was used,” he says.

“All the brass and bronze plaques and fittings had to be covered to prevent any possible staining or damage. These will be cleaned later.”

The delicate clean up involves soft brushing to remove any loose material. The cleaner is then applied and left for 24 hours, followed by a low-pressure hose-down. A ducting system has been set up to stop any material entering the Avon River.

Mr Cross says the Council’s Parks and Waterways, City Streets, and Heritage units had worked together to get the best result for the bridge. The Council had also consulted with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Returned Services Association about the clean up. City Care Ltd is doing the work.

“City Care site foreman, Stephan Gamblin, and his staff are to be commended for the care and attention to detail they have taken in carrying out this work,” says Mr Cross.

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