2nd April 2026

The refurbishment of Ross Bridge itself is progressing very well, with significant activity underway at A&P Falmouth’s specialist facility, where they are working seven days a week to accelerate the program.

The full bridge structure has been shot‑blasted back to bare metal, enabling thorough inspection and specialist structural repairs to be carried out, which are now complete. A primer coat is currently being applied across the structure, in readiness for the full painting, scheduled to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend, providing long‑term protection suitable for marine conditions. Jacking cylinders and other hydraulic elements—essential for the bridge’s operational mechanisms—are also currently undergoing refurbishment and repainting. And footway sections, kerbs and handrails have been sent for galvanising, together with handrails, preparing them for installation.

The steel deck plates have already been fully fabricated and galvanised and, following the completion of repainting next weekend, a trial fitting will take place whereby engineers will refine alignment and carry out the drilling of holes for bolts to ensure accuracy. Thereafter, the plates will be removed and prepared for transportation by road. Because the combined weight of the deck plates and the bridge exceeds the crane capacity, they cannot be installed before transport. They must be fitted once the bridge is back on site and lifted into place.

The refurbishment remains on programme, and the pace of work positive. The attention to detail, the quality of the engineering, and the commitment shown by the A&P team all reflect the importance of this bridge to Penzance – and once complete the project will safeguard Ross Bridge for many decades to come.

We will continue to keep everyone updated as the programme moves into the next stages and the installation window becomes more clearer.