Tower Bridge to glow diamond white this weekend

Tower Bridge has been transformed with a new world-class lighting system in time to mark the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee.

The new state-of-the-art, energy efficient lighting system had its first official switch on on Wednesday evening and then will gleam white this weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

GE Lighting and London 2012 sponsors EDF have worked together to install an LED-lighting system – 1,800 special energy-efficient LED lights have been fitted, along with 2,000 metres of energy-efficient LED linear lights, 5,000 metres of cable and 1,000 junction boxes.

The new lights will take centre stage for during the 2012 Games when Tower Bridge will be fitted with its giant Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos for the 45 days of the Games.  Passers-by will see the new system being tested over coming weeks ready for spectacular one-off lighting displays during key moments of the Games.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “Tower Bridge is already a global icon and this much-loved landmark is now even more spectacular thanks to a world-class illumination system.

“As London gears up for a summer like no other, this fantastic lighting makeover is another example of how the capital is benefiting from the Games. Tower Bridge can now play a starring role in our celebrations, starting off this weekend by being bathed in a stately white light for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.”

Photo: Andy Matthews