Date for Fawley chimney demolition confirmed

We now know when a Solent landmark's going to be demolished.

The Fawley chimney will be blown up on Sunday 31st October at 7am.

The chimney - often used as a navigation guide by sailors - is making way for a new development there.

In a statement, Fawley Waterside said: "I’m writing to inform you that a date and time for demolition of the Fawley Power Station chimney has been agreed.

"On Sunday 31st October at approximately 07.00am the chimney and remaining southern end of the Turbine Hall will be demolished by the controlled use of explosives.

"From 05.30am an exclusion zone will be enforced around the site and surrounding area. Sentries and the police will mark the exclusion zone boundary and temporarily restrict any access.

"A temporary closure of the B3053 and Footpath 46 between Ashlett Creek and Calshot will also be in place.

"Further information on these closures will be publicised in due course.

"Local residents will receive a letter on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th October. All those that need to be evacuated have been notified well in advance.

"We understand the level of public interest in this event will be significant and therefore impossible to keep confidential. For this reason we have chosen to be fully transparent with the general public, however we are strongly discouraging spectators and in the interests of public safety we would prefer this event to be as low-key as possible.