New Network Rail Boss visits Royal Albert Bridge

Published 12th June 2014

Mark Carne, Network Rail’s newly appointed Chief Executive, came to visit Taziker Industrial at the Royal Albert Bridge; where Taziker Industrial are currently coming up to the end of the most extensive refurbishment of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s iconic structure in its entire history.

The multi-million pound refurbishment involves removing up to 29 layers of lead paint and undertaking extensive steelwork strengthening and condition led repairs, before repainting the famous structure in a new Glass Flake Epoxy paint system.

The 172ft tall, 2,000ft long structure sweeps elegantly over River Tamar to provide the main rail link between Devon and Cornwall. It is of particular importance to Mr Carne, who considers himself a citizen of Cornwall, and has recently vowed to make Britain’s railway network the best performing in Europe.

Mr Carne was taken on a tour of the structure by Taziker Industrial’s Project Manager, Peter Cook, who has an in-depth knowledge of the bridge having managed the flagship project in its entirety.

To commemorate the visit, Taziker Industrial presented Mr Carne with a plaque containing a selection of original Brunel rivets and Great Western Bolts removed from the structure during the works.

After the visit Mr Carne sent Taziker Industrial a letter thanking us for an excellent visit to his favourite bridge and our support in transforming worker safety in the industry