Severn Estuary pylons paint job completed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24406827

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A team of specialists has completed a 13-week project to repaint two electricity pylons that span the Severn Estuary.

The pylons are the second highest in the UK and are taller than a 53-storey tower block.

The electricity cables carried by the towers remained live throughout the job.

It is only the third time the pylons have been painted since they were built 50 years ago.

The Fountains OCS team trained for two weeks to learn the climbing skills, emergency first aid and rescue techniques needed to paint safely at heights of more than 150 metres.

Richard Jowett, from the company, said: "Tower painting projects do not get more complex or indeed any higher than this with the exception of the Thames crossing alongside the Dartford Tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II bridge."

The workmen used special brushes made from Chinese pig hair during the job.