Tower Bridge to make London "sparkle with special moments" during 2012 Games, says Mayor

Source: insidethegames.biz|By Emily Goddard

July 4 - London's Tower Bridge is set to be at the heart of the 2012 celebrations with plans afoot to hang the iconic Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitors from the eminent structure throughout next year's Games.

Using a state-of-the-art energy efficient LED lighting system, the innovative project will enhance the architectural features of Tower Bridge, particularly at night, providing a permanent lighting legacy similar to that already installed at St Pancras, while also cutting the energy consumption of the existing static flood-lighting system by around 40 per cent.

Lighting artists Citelum, who have worked on the Eiffel Tower, the Zheng Yang Men gate in Beijing and the Abbey of Jumieges in France, will use flexible lighting technology that will also enable striking evening lighting displays during the 45 days of the Games, with gold, silver and bronze lighting effects to mark sporting medal successes.

The news comes following a funding deal announced recently by the Mayor of London between City Hall, City of London Corporation and London 2012 Sustainability partners EDF Energy and GE.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "I want London to sparkle with special moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games and thanks to this funding deal, Tower Bridge is set to play a starring role in these once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.

"The Games are also a unique opportunity for London to secure its position for another generation as the best big city in the world and these plans will secure a fantastic legacy for one of the capital's best loved landmarks."

The project is now seeking to obtain the necessary planning consents and work could begin as early as September this year for completion by spring 2012, in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

"This proposal will help improve London's global image - not just in 2012 - but for the next 25 years," said Stuart Fraser, policy chairman of the City of London.