WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 1 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:01.010 - In half an hour, 2 00:00:01.010 --> 00:00:04.500 Tower Bridge is going to open its bascules. 3 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:07.510 ...the bascules are the bit that the road sits on down below. 4 00:00:07.510 --> 00:00:10.290 A sailing barge called Will wants to pass through the bridge, 5 00:00:10.290 --> 00:00:12.470 and so the bridge must lift. 6 00:00:12.470 --> 00:00:14.370 That's going to delight the tourists, 7 00:00:14.370 --> 00:00:18.211 but it's going to delay thousands of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, 8 00:00:18.211 --> 00:00:20.810 and cause tailbacks for miles. 9 00:00:20.810 --> 00:00:21.850 And the team here 10 00:00:21.850 --> 00:00:24.230 are going to let me push the button to do it. 11 00:00:24.230 --> 00:00:25.650 But before we get to that point, 12 00:00:25.650 --> 00:00:29.030 there's a lot of work to be done by a lot of different people. 13 00:00:29.030 --> 00:00:31.840 - Sailing barge Will, Tower Bridge radio. 14 00:00:31.840 --> 00:00:35.570 - "Tower Bridge radio, sailing barge Will, good morning." 15 00:00:35.570 --> 00:00:36.440 - Yeah, good morning to you. 16 00:00:36.440 --> 00:00:38.140 Just to let you know that we are standing by 17 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:40.440 for your 10:30 bridge lift. 18 00:00:40.440 --> 00:00:42.580 - We work really closely with a number of agencies, 19 00:00:42.580 --> 00:00:45.219 with the Port of London Authority, responsible for the river, 20 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:46.700 with Transport for London, 21 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:49.020 with the police as well, and also the local boroughs. 22 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:51.660 The bridge is sat between two boroughs of London, 23 00:00:51.660 --> 00:00:54.530 half of it's in Tower Hamlets, and half of it's in Southwark, 24 00:00:54.530 --> 00:00:56.290 so, in terms of transport network, 25 00:00:56.290 --> 00:00:58.980 we need really close working relationships. 26 00:00:58.980 --> 00:01:01.660 If we know that, for example, there's an ambulance on the way, 27 00:01:01.660 --> 00:01:03.730 we'll hold off from starting the process. 28 00:01:03.730 --> 00:01:05.880 - Tower Bridge is a tourist attraction these days. 29 00:01:05.880 --> 00:01:07.610 That's why they've got the behind-the-scenes tours 30 00:01:07.610 --> 00:01:09.400 and the glass floors up on the walkways, 31 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:12.500 but it's still a working bridge, and it can be opened, 32 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:14.790 must legally be opened, 33 00:01:14.790 --> 00:01:17.770 to let river traffic through any hour of any day. 34 00:01:17.770 --> 00:01:21.650 - There was this one time, back when Clinton and Blair were in power, 35 00:01:21.650 --> 00:01:23.730 and I think their timings ran over slightly, 36 00:01:23.730 --> 00:01:26.550 and the motorcade started to come back across the bridge, 37 00:01:26.550 --> 00:01:28.080 from the south side to the north, 38 00:01:28.080 --> 00:01:31.920 and got cut off by a bridge lift that was due to take place. 39 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:35.120 Now at that point, the bridge driver on duty received a call, 40 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:36.910 "there's a very important person in the car 41 00:01:36.910 --> 00:01:38.530 "that's stuck on the south side of the bridge", 42 00:01:38.530 --> 00:01:39.810 Bill Clinton, at the time. 43 00:01:39.810 --> 00:01:42.307 The person in charge said, very bravely, 44 00:01:42.307 --> 00:01:43.787 "No, we can't do that I'm afraid. 45 00:01:43.787 --> 00:01:46.347 "The river traffic has rights over road traffic, 46 00:01:46.347 --> 00:01:47.757 "but also, physics. 47 00:01:47.757 --> 00:01:49.297 "There's a boat bearing down on us, 48 00:01:49.297 --> 00:01:52.010 "if we don't raise the bridge, it'll strike the bridge." 49 00:01:52.010 --> 00:01:53.810 So, they raised the bridge, it came through, 50 00:01:53.810 --> 00:01:55.750 and they received a lovely letter from the White House 51 00:01:55.750 --> 00:01:57.017 a couple of weeks later saying, 52 00:01:57.017 --> 00:01:59.787 "Thank you for arranging the brilliant spectacle for us 53 00:01:59.787 --> 00:02:01.380 "of Tower Bridge raising"! 54 00:02:01.380 --> 00:02:02.880 - When Tower Bridge was built, 55 00:02:02.880 --> 00:02:07.320 cargo was unloaded all around here, straight into warehouses on the riverbank, 56 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:11.210 so it was important that ships could get through the new bridge here. 57 00:02:11.210 --> 00:02:15.370 River traffic comes first. Trade must not be interrupted. 58 00:02:15.370 --> 00:02:18.760 That was laid down in law in 1885 when the bridge was commissioned, and, 59 00:02:18.760 --> 00:02:22.670 even there's no cargo being unloaded around here these days, 60 00:02:22.670 --> 00:02:24.250 that law hasn't changed. 61 00:02:24.250 --> 00:02:26.950 Boats have a right to pass through here 62 00:02:26.950 --> 00:02:29.370 and removing a legal right of way is very difficult. 63 00:02:29.370 --> 00:02:30.880 There have been a couple of grumbles about it 64 00:02:30.880 --> 00:02:33.300 in Parliament over the years, but as far as I can tell, 65 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:36.140 no one's ever seriously thought about changing it. 66 00:02:36.140 --> 00:02:39.010 So, with 15 minutes to go, 67 00:02:39.010 --> 00:02:41.650 the engineers are getting ready for the lift. 68 00:02:41.650 --> 00:02:43.800 - We do have pre-checklists 69 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:47.160 to make sure that there's no obstructions in the bascules. 70 00:02:47.160 --> 00:02:50.150 We check the oil levels. We check the electrics, 71 00:02:50.150 --> 00:02:52.030 because we've got high voltage electricity coming in here. 72 00:02:52.030 --> 00:02:54.920 So, when the bridge actually moves, 73 00:02:54.920 --> 00:02:57.300 it's the initial torque that you've got to get, 74 00:02:57.300 --> 00:02:58.620 once it actually starts moving, 75 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:01.020 it's quite straightforward and nice and easy. 76 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:02.970 We've got four packs on each corner of the bridge, 77 00:03:02.970 --> 00:03:05.850 and one hydraulic pack has two hydraulic motors 78 00:03:05.850 --> 00:03:07.840 with two hydraulic pumps. 79 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:12.460 Back in the day, up until the early '70s, it was steam operated. 80 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:14.440 What we actually use today 81 00:03:14.440 --> 00:03:17.510 is very similar to what the Victorians actually put in, 82 00:03:17.510 --> 00:03:21.290 and these days, it's just the electric hydraulics. 83 00:03:21.290 --> 00:03:22.720 - If you've got a tall enough boat, 84 00:03:22.720 --> 00:03:25.220 then you can call Tower Bridge 24 hours ahead, 85 00:03:25.220 --> 00:03:28.000 ask for a bridge lift, and they will fit you in. 86 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:29.570 Even though you can't really get very far. 87 00:03:29.570 --> 00:03:32.859 The next bridge is only about 900 metres down the river, and it doesn't move. 88 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:35.680 And never mind that lifting Tower Bridge causes tailbacks and 89 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:38.720 massively inconveniences a lot of people! 90 00:03:38.720 --> 00:03:40.230 If your boat's tall enough, 91 00:03:40.230 --> 00:03:42.750 then you've got a right to get the bridge lifted, 92 00:03:42.750 --> 00:03:44.660 and about five minutes' time, 93 00:03:44.660 --> 00:03:46.420 someone's going to use that right. 94 00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:49.911 - Official numbers are six bridge drivers, 95 00:03:49.911 --> 00:03:52.700 and so there's only six of us in the world that can actually do it. 96 00:03:52.700 --> 00:03:55.690 It takes, on average, about two years to train up to be a bridge driver. 97 00:03:55.690 --> 00:03:57.540 The main part of being a bridge driver 98 00:03:57.540 --> 00:03:59.400 is not actually raising and lowering the bridge, 99 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:01.460 it's knowing what to do if it goes wrong. 100 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:04.100 If you've got the bridge up in the air, and it breaks down, 101 00:04:04.100 --> 00:04:07.920 it's a matter of: you've got to be able to fix it as quick as possible, 102 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:11.080 so that you're not blocking up half of London. 103 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:13.530 [announcing] "Bridge driving control systems about to be switched on. 104 00:04:13.530 --> 00:04:17.540 "Stand clear of moving structures, machinery, and controls." 113 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:18.373 - All right. 106 00:04:18.373 --> 00:04:19.650 - Hi, Tom. - Hello! 107 00:04:19.650 --> 00:04:21.940 - Come on in. - Thank you! 108 00:04:21.940 --> 00:04:25.670 - Welcome to the northeast control cabin. - Thank you very much. 109 00:04:25.670 --> 00:04:27.230 - As you know, we're about to do a bridge lift. 167 00:04:27.230 --> 00:04:28.110 - Yep. - It's a shame I'm wearing the mask, 111 00:04:28.110 --> 00:04:29.500 - It's going to be for the Sailing Barge Will, 112 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:17.540 which is just down the river, just down there. 113 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:18.373 - All right. 114 00:04:31.930 --> 00:04:34.570 - All right. - Time is now... 115 00:04:34.570 --> 00:04:36.750 - 10:26. - Yeah. 116 00:04:36.750 --> 00:04:39.280 - Four minutes. - So we're going to go straight into this. 117 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:41.230 - Let's do it. - No time to waste. 118 00:04:41.230 --> 00:04:42.779 - I'm actually nervous. 119 00:04:44.104 --> 00:04:46.430 - So the first thing I want you to do is start the power hydraulic pumps. 120 00:04:46.430 --> 00:04:50.370 - Okay. - So, press that button. 121 00:04:50.370 --> 00:04:52.730 That will now start the pumps. 122 00:04:52.730 --> 00:04:54.622 "This is a public announcement. 123 00:04:54.622 --> 00:04:56.970 "Bridge lifting operations are about to commence. 124 00:04:56.970 --> 00:05:00.460 "Stand by bridge staff, stopping road traffic." 125 00:05:00.460 --> 00:05:03.720 If you could just press the red traffic light? 126 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:05.306 - Traffic lights changing to red. [brakes squeal] 127 00:05:05.306 --> 00:05:06.139 - That's it, let go. 128 00:05:06.139 --> 00:05:09.230 So, now we can press them together, at this juncture. 129 00:05:09.230 --> 00:05:12.020 - Done. - Now we'll press for the pedestrian gates. 130 00:05:12.853 --> 00:05:14.030 Closed? - Yep. 131 00:05:14.030 --> 00:05:18.888 - Just got to wait for two casually sauntering tourists going across there. 132 00:05:18.888 --> 00:05:20.280 - Yeah, this is why we start a little bit earlier. 133 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:22.980 - Are you ever tempted to just start it raising at this point? 134 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:24.014 - [laughs] No. 135 00:05:24.014 --> 00:05:25.260 Press that now. 136 00:05:25.260 --> 00:05:26.950 - All right, that's disengaging. 137 00:05:26.950 --> 00:05:30.070 - Yep, so the indication will show... - That light's gone off. 138 00:05:30.070 --> 00:05:31.897 I'm terrified I've pushed a wrong button already. 139 00:05:31.897 --> 00:05:34.233 - No, no, you've done nothing wrong. 140 00:05:35.130 --> 00:05:36.550 Next one is the nose bolts. 141 00:05:36.550 --> 00:05:39.090 - Retract the nose bolts? - Yep, press that button. 142 00:05:39.090 --> 00:05:40.530 - I feel like I should hold it down for longer, 143 00:05:40.530 --> 00:05:41.370 but it's just a quick tap. 144 00:05:41.370 --> 00:05:42.910 - It's just a quick tap. 145 00:05:42.910 --> 00:05:45.070 - Bridge ready to move. - Yep. 146 00:05:45.070 --> 00:05:47.653 - Grab hold of the joystick, pull it back slightly, 147 00:05:49.260 --> 00:05:51.610 - Whoo! - Little bit more. 148 00:05:51.610 --> 00:05:54.026 - All the way? All the way. 149 00:05:54.026 --> 00:05:55.937 - That's it, all the way. 150 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:58.870 - Tell me... - You're now raisin' the bridge. 151 00:05:58.870 --> 00:06:01.560 - Yep, tell me when to slow it down. 152 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.310 - It's going to be a matter of once we get to the angle, 153 00:06:03.310 --> 00:06:04.810 you just let go of the joystick. 154 00:06:04.810 --> 00:06:07.780 - Now, to me, from here, that looks like 45 already, 155 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:09.230 but we're only at 26. 156 00:06:09.230 --> 00:06:11.020 - That's right. - It's deceiving. 157 00:06:11.020 --> 00:06:13.517 - The way to see, at the corner of the bridge there, 158 00:06:13.517 --> 00:06:17.983 you see that bit of iron with riveting? - Yeah. 159 00:06:17.983 --> 00:06:21.209 - When that gets horizontal, that's actually 45 degrees. 160 00:06:21.209 --> 00:06:22.130 - And here comes the barge. 161 00:06:22.130 --> 00:06:24.787 That is much taller than it looked from a distance. 162 00:06:24.787 --> 00:06:25.800 - It does. 163 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:28.970 - 39 degrees and 41. 164 00:06:28.970 --> 00:06:31.713 - Right, so if you let go of it now, 165 00:06:32.570 --> 00:06:36.130 and press the green river light... that's it. 166 00:06:36.130 --> 00:04:27.230 - And Sailing Barge Will, is good to go. 167 00:04:27.230 --> 00:04:28.110 - Yep. - It's a shame I'm wearing the mask, 168 00:06:40.570 --> 00:06:43.307 because you can't see the grin on my face right now. 169 00:06:43.307 --> 00:04:34.570 - It's a great feeling when you do it for the first time. 170 00:04:34.570 --> 00:06:48.390 - Yeah. 171 00:06:48.390 --> 00:06:49.740 Thank you so much! 172 00:06:51.038 --> 00:06:53.946 - You have completed a bridge lift. 173 00:06:53.946 --> 00:06:55.730 - That was much more nerve-racking, 174 00:06:55.730 --> 00:06:58.340 than just pushing some buttons should have been. 175 00:06:58.340 --> 00:07:00.550 There's so much riding on that. 176 00:07:00.550 --> 00:07:03.630 I know it's all automated. I know that, at any point, 177 00:07:03.630 --> 00:07:05.840 you could have pushed me out of the way and stepped in and that's fine, 178 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:10.110 but it's still nerve-racking when there are so many people waiting 179 00:07:10.110 --> 00:07:13.670 and so much riding on that for, you know...London working. 180 00:07:13.670 --> 00:07:18.237 - But even now, I've done hundreds of lifts, 181 00:07:18.237 --> 00:07:20.435 and I still get a buzz out of it. 182 00:07:20.435 --> 00:07:21.730 - Yeah! 183 00:07:21.730 --> 00:07:24.083 Right, how do we get this back down?