2000 bridge nuts replaced after cracks found during probe

Published on Thursday 16 April 2009 09:48

ALMOST 2000 nuts are to be replaced on the Forth Road Bridge after cracks were found during a routine inspection.

Bridge bosses have ordered an investigation after nine nuts used to secure bands to the structure's main cables proved to be faulty.

Four of the failed nuts have already been replaced, using access platforms already in place. The remaining five will be replaced over the year.

Bridgemaster and chief engineer Barry Colford said: "This problem was identified at an early stage and the bridge remains perfectly safe.

"Cracks have been found in only nine out of 1888 similar nuts.

"Nevertheless, our investigation has concluded that any of these nuts could potentially fail in future, so the recommendation is to replace them as a precaution."

A spokesman for FETA said the work would be carried out over the next few years and would cost an estimated 630,000.

All the cable band nuts and bolts were replaced in the late-1990s as part of a larger project to replace the hanger ropes.

The report stated that the failure of the nuts may be due to the much higher grade of steel in the new nuts, which made them harder and less flexible than the originals It was also suggested protective coating was inadequate.