Mackintosh cordon could be reduced in two weeks

Glasgow School of Art believe the security cordon around the fire-ravaged Mackintosh Building could be reduced in two weeks as stabilisation work progresses.

Flames tore through the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building on June 15, the second devastating fire to hit the art school.

The blaze has had a big impact on the local Garnethill community, with locals and businesses unable to access their properties while the building is unsafe.

GSA said the east gable of the Mackintosh Building is within two weeks of stabilisation which will ensure the Dalhousie Street end of the building is safe and stable.

Work is continuing around the building and the neighbouring ABC O2 which was also badly damaged in the fire.

GSA director Professor Tom Inns said: “The shoring scaffolding on Dalhousie Street, which is the critical part of the work to make the east gable safe, is on schedule for completion in the next two weeks.

“After this we hope very much that Glasgow City Council Building Control will reduce the size of the security cordon.

“We continue to work seven days a week to make the whole of the Mackintosh Building stable as soon as possible so that the community can return to their homes and businesses.

“Our primary focus to date has been on the east gable and south facade which are most significantly impacting on the community, but following initial safety work on the ABC O2 we have now begun dismantling the dangerous parts of the west gable in earnest.'