urbanglasgow.co.uk

monument · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject:

I can't seem to to upload anything to Flickr today

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A vagabond on the way.

james73 · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject:

It was playing up with me earlier - took 3 goes to upload that video.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

james73 · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

Flats go boom in the night (Evening Times)

This was the moment something went boom' in the night . . . and two of
Glasgow's most unsightly tower blocks vanished from the cityscape in a
night-time first.

All together five tower blocks were razed to the ground in a series of
dramatic overnight demolitions. Two 19-storey flats in Glasgow's Sighthill
were brought down at 2.30am followed by three 15-storey blocks in
Millarston, Paisley around 5am.

Residents living near the Sighthill blasts were evacuated overnight for
safety.

The main Glasgow-Edinburgh rail line runs alongside the site and it was
decided to carry out the blow down when the line was least busy.

Jim Sneddon, GHA's executive director of regeneration, said: "Whilst GHA
is still working with our partners on how best to deliver the full regeneration
plans for the area, today's demolition is a clear sign that we are committed
to playing our part in changing the face of Glasgow and delivering social
housing which is fit for the 21st Century."

Three other blocks are also due to be demolished, while five in
neighbouring Pinkston Drive are also expected to be razed. If given the
go-ahead, a masterplan will see the area transformed with 2000 new
homes, shops and businesses over the next decade.

Residents were moved out of the multi-storeys months ago, with some
offered GHA homes, and others moving to new homes run by other
housing associations.

Tower blocks at Shawbridge Street in Pollokshaws will come down a week
after the Fountainwell high-rises.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

AlanM · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Before:

During:

After:

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Gies a gonk ya dobber!!

AMcD · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject:

Great photos and videos!

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don't hold your breath too long..... this tunnel is a Texas mile

james73 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

Boom town (Evening Times)

NOW you see them . . . now you don't. Hundreds of residents in Sighthill
cheered as two tower blocks were blown down in Scotland's first ever
night-time demolition.

At exactly 2.30am yesterday morning a loud bang ripped through the
north of the city and the 19-storey double blocks - 2-4 and 16-18
Fountainwell Court - were razed in 10 seconds.

The £1million operation -which needed 130kg of explosives - was carried
out by Glasgow Housing Association as part of their city-wide
regeneration programme.

Around 100 people in 70 nearby properties were evacuated for health and
safety reasons, with roads closed inside a 150m exclusion zone.

The demolition, which created 44,000 tonnes of rubble, was carried out in
the night to avoid disruption to the Glas-gow-Edinburgh railway line, which
is just metres away.

Around 500 residents turned out to witness the awesome sight - many of
whom had once lived in the flats. But few tears were shed as the buildings
fell, as most of those watching believed the demolition marks the beginning
of Sighthill's rebirth.

As she watched, community activist Margaret Thomson, who lived in one
of the blocks for 38 years, said: "I'm sad in a way because I brought my
family up in that house and I had fantastic neighbours.

"But Sighthill needs and deserves to be regenerated - we've been fighting
for it for years."

Neighbour Tina Suffredini, who lived there for 20 years, added: "I've got
lots of happy memories. They were once a great place to live.

"But times change and it's definitely time for them to come down."

Constructed in 1967 at a cost of £1.8m, each block contained 228 one
and two-bedroom homes. But as demand for the houses declined from
2000, the decision was taken by GHA, in consultation with locals, to
demolish them.

The flats have been unoccupied since December 2007, with most
residents either being re-housed nearby or elsewhere in north Glasgow.

Neighbouring blocks, 2-4 Fountainwell Terrace, 37-49 Fountainwell
Avenue and 6-8 Fountainwell Square - are earmarked to be razed next
year.

The clearance makes way for an ambitious programme of further
demolition and new build over the next 15-20 years, which will see new
homes, improved transport links and a new hub with shopping and
community facilities.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

Stuball · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

130kg? the BBC said 65kg
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Now coming at you with 95% more significance, 1% less salt and virtually fat free!

FLICKR GALLERY

Alex Glass · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject:

Well done Stu, Fjord, James and Alan.

The photos and videos are fantastic. I wish I could have been there for this although it is maybe best to leave it to the experts.

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I had a dream today

ALEX G @ flickr

james73 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:

Fjord · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Haha well spotted is that you taking a swig oot yer can @ the 11 seconds?