FM Conway and Taziker appointed to refurbish Blackfriars Bridge

Published 18th June 2021

In a long-term partnership, FM Conway and Taziker have been appointed to undertake a major refurbishment of Blackfriars Bridge by The City of London Corporation.

FM Conway and Taziker will be working together to provide a multi-million pound repaint and refurbishment of the iron and steel structure in central London.  This will be an extensive refurbishment programme, with the work due to start in August and completion expected in 2024.

Located over the River Thames, Blackfriars Bridge was originally built in 1869 and is owned by Bridge House Estates.  The bridge was widened in 1909 and given Grade II listed status in 1972. 

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Bridge House Estates Board, Giles Shilson, said: “Blackfriars Bridge was last painted in 2000 and is starting to show signs of wear, including some aging parapets and rust staining.

“The repaint and refurbishment of this important bridge will greatly improve its aesthetics and will also protect the fabric of the structure to increase its longevity.

“We welcome today’s appointment of contractors FM Conway and their partners, and we will work closely with them to ensure Blackfriars Bridge continues to serve Londoners for many years to come.”

Matthew Smith, FM Conway Structures Director said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the City of London Corporation to preserve the heritage of this iconic structure.

“The award reflects FM Conway’s expertise in the refurbishment of heritage listed structures and our proven experience working over the River Thames.  We have developed a strong team with recent experience of Blackfriars Bridge and well-established stakeholder relationships.

“We are looking forward to getting started and introducing a range of innovations to support the City of London Corporation’s environmental and social value commitments over the next three years.”

Steve Corcoran, CEO, Taziker said, “We are delighted to be supporting FM Conway in the delivery of the prestigious Blackfriars Bridge refurbishment for the City of London Corporation.

“Our relationship with FM Conway is a trusted one and provides a perfect blend of capabilities in construction and engineering.  Throughout the duration of the project, we are committed to working closely with both FM Conway and the City of London Corporation to develop mutually beneficial relationships with collaboration at all stages.”

Blackfriars Bridge and is one of five bridges managed by the City of London Corporation.