The 23-storey block at 131 Allan Street in Millerfield, Dalmarnock was brought to the ground in just less than five seconds, clearing another part of the site earmarked for the Athletes’ Village during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, should Glasgow’s bid be successful.

Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, Louise Martin and Commonwealth silver medal winning hurdler Chris Baillie were present when the building was blown down.

It took 85 kilos of explosives to demolish the block which was built in 1965 and contained 262 properties. The decision to clear and demolish was taken by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) in January 2005 and was backed by Glasgow City Council who had previously demolished two other blocks on the site.

East End Community Homes, the local housing organisation (LHO) who manage homes in the area on behalf of GHA, has worked with the remaining tenants to provide them with suitable alternative accommodation, mostly within the Dalmarnock and Bridgeton area.

The properties in the block were emptied by August 2006 and a team of workmen and explosives experts have been on site since then, busy preparing the building for today’s demolition. The demolition operation was overseen by a consortium of companies appointed by GHA, including principal contractor John F. Hunt, explosives specialists Safedem Ltd and lead consultant and planning supervisor DPS international. This consortium used the Dalmarnock Centre as their planning and coordination centre during the project.

For health and safety reasons, two properties adjacent to the multi-storey tower block were evacuated during the demolition along with one commercial property. Around six people were taken to alternative suitable accommodation for the day.

The multi-storey tower block left standing at the site (No. 4 Millerfield Place) is scheduled for demolition later this year. Once it is demolished the 26,000 tonnes of rubble created by both demolitions will be recycled, crushed and graded and is likely to be kept on site with a view to being used for other building projects, including the 2014 Commonwealth Village Project. Building work for that project is likely to commence in 2010.

Danny Bradley, Assistant Director of Investment at Glasgow Housing Association said: “Glasgow Housing Association’s aim of creating better homes and better lives for our tenants is changing the face of Glasgow and the demolition at Dalmarnock today is a major step towards the area’s re-development.

“GHA is also enhancing the chance for Glasgow to achieve its dream of bringing the Commonwealth Games to the city – something which has our full support.”
 
Maura McGregor, Community Housing Manager of East End Community Homes explained: “There was a very low demand for both 131 Allan Street and 4 Millerfield Place and the tenants who used to live there have all been relocated elsewhere in the city, in areas of their choice.

“It has been a great success and a vital step forward to regenerating the area. Our next step is to demolish 4 Millerfield Place and the remaining single maisonette block sometime later this year.”

Derek Casey, Glasgow 2014 Bid Director said: “The centrepiece of our plans for the 2014 Games is the world class village that would be built here in Dalmarnock. If we win the Bid, this site would be a home from home for the athletes during the games and a new community for Glasgow once they have finished. The demolition of this block today brings our vision for 2014 that little bit closer to reality.”

John Hall, Managing Director of John F Hunt said: “This has been yet another successful example of the team’s ability to deliver safe and precise demolition. Their effort in coordinating today’s event cannot be praised enough."

And William Sinclair, Managing Director of Safedem explained: “A lot of time and effort has gone into this demolition with many organisations contributing to ensure that the work was carried out safely, with the end result as expected.”

Alan Ramsay of DPSi added: “Once again we have witnessed a dedicated and professional input from all parties involved. This resulted in the safe and successful demolition witnessed today.”

Further Information:

> Glasgow2014.com