2,000 homes evacuated as Glasgow flats demolished

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Development

Around 2,000 people were temporarily evacuated from their homes as a triple-block of Glasgow flats were demolished in a controlled explosion.

Thousands of people gathered to watch the demolition of the multi-storey block of flats at Red Road in the North of Glasgow.

The demolition was part of Glasgow Housing Association’s (GHA) plans to transform communities across the city.

Many of the former tenants of the flats were rehoused locally in one of the 259 new-build homes built by GHA.

Approximately around 275 kilos of explosives were used to bring down the triple block.

Due to the unique steel-frame structure of the flats, the bottom storeys of the block remained – as planned - undisturbed after the explosion. The remaining storeys will be demolished using machines.

GHA’s Executive Director of Development and Regeneration Alex McGuire said: “We are working closely with our partners to make Glasgow a great place to live and create communities people are proud to live in.

“The Red Road flats were popular in their day and are known around the world, but their time has come to an end. We’re pleased the demolition of the first of the Red Road blocks went according to plan.”

The clear-up operation will take several months to complete with the steel removed and recycled and the remaining rubble crushed and used as foundations for roads and buildings.

William Sinclair, Managing Director of demolition contractors Safedem, said: “The Red Road flats have presented a unique series of challenges ranging from the size of the buildings to the steel frame structure.

“We’re delighted to be involved in another successful demolition operation working with GHA – our 17th demolition we’ve carried out with GHA since 2005.”