Three Tarfside Oval Tower Blocks Demolished in Glasgow
Three high-rise blocks have been demolished as part of a scheme to regenerate Cardonald in Glasgow.
Around 340 neighbouring properties were temporarily evacuated to allow the three 22-storey blocks at Tarfside Oval in Cardonald, Glasgow, to be safely demolished today.
The controlled explosive blowdown of the high-rise buildings paves the way for Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) to build new homes on the site.
The housing association is planning a new £5 million development of 50 houses which could begin in late 2016 if the plan is given the go-ahead.
Tenants who previously lived in the blocks have been rehoused in new or upgraded GHA homes or in properties with other registered social landlords.
Alex McGuire, director of property for GHA's parent company Wheatley Group, said: The demolitions will allow us to breathe new life into the community and transform it for future generations. The new homes planned will make a massive difference to the lives of tenants and to the wider neighbourhood.
We are committed to playing a major role in changing the face of housing in Glasgow for the better and delivering high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes in which people want to live. We'd like to thank the residents and businesses for their patience and support during this major regeneration work.''
More than 6,000 individual charges and around 180kg of explosives were used to bring down the three 60 metre high blocks.
The bottom six storeys of each of the three buildings will be demolished as planned using machinery.
A fourth multi-storey on the site at Tarfside Oval is being demolished using an ultra high-reach machine due to the close proximity of nearby homes.
The decision to demolish all four of the blocks was taken in 2014 following an extensive consultation with the community, including face-to-face visits and surveys.
GHA said the blocks had become unpopular over the years and expensive to maintain.
GHA tenant Anne-Marie Boyd lived on the eighth floor at 60 Tarfside Oval for 13 years.
She said: I loved staying there. I remember feeling so lucky when I got the flat. It was so big and I had great neighbours.
I've been watching them pull down the first block and it's quite emotional. It's the end of an era.''