Could this be Scotland's most terrifying cleaning job?
Technicians will abseil from the top of the Queensferry Crossing
Brave technicians are abseiling from the top of the Queensferry Crossing so they can clean the giant cables and try to prevent ice forming.
Teams of rope access experts need to dangle from the top of the 207-metre concrete tower where they'll use soap and water to wash down the sheaths that encase the steel strands.
The work started today (30 Aug) and will take five to six weeks to complete.
Ninety-six cables ranging in length from 94 to 420 metres will be cleaned – over 24 kilometres in total.
A 40mph speed limit will be in force on the bridge for safety when rope access teams are working overhead, from Monday to Friday between approximately 07:00 and 18:00.
The Queensferry Crossing has had to close to traffic in adverse weather three times since it opened in 2017, due to a risk of ice crashing on to vehicles below.
Since then, a team of engineers has been investigating potential measures to mitigate or prevent the problem.
They have identified dirt on the cables as a potential catalyst for the formation of ice.
Bridge manager, Chris Tracey said: "The first cables were installed in 2015 and there are no records of any ice forming on them until 2019.
"By cleaning the cables on one tower we will be able to measure the impact this has.
"As part of the project, thermal cameras are being installed at the top of each tower to monitor and measure any formation of ice.
"On this occasion the cleaning will be carried out by rope access technicians, however work is also progressing on the design of a machine to carry out this task in future, should the trial prove successful".
ENDS