Tuesday, April 23, 2024
NewsLocal NewsSkyscraper wean to blow up the 16th floor

Skyscraper wean to blow up the 16th floor

By Kirsty Topping

 

Lewis will bring down the Sighthill towers on Sunday

THREE city landmarks will bite the dust this weekend – with a little help from a nine-year-old schoolboy.

Lewis Reynolds has been chosen to bring down the house when the multi-storey flats in Edinburgh’s Sighthill area are blown up.

The 16-storey Hermiston, Weir and Glenalmond blocks, built 45 years ago, are to make way for new housing.

Lewis was chosen after designing the winning entry in a poster competition.

Three primary schools near the tower blocks took part in the competition, in which youngsters worked on the theme of safety issues around the site

Lewis said: “I am really pleased to have won the competition and can’t wait to push the button to demolish the tower blocks. It’s going to be great fun.”

SITE SAFETY

William Sinclair, managing director of Safedem, said: “The pupils were really enthusiastic and put a huge effort into the competition.

“We will still be on site for several months after the buildings are demolished and it’s extremely important that the children continue to be fully aware of being safe around the demolition site.”

Residents are set to be evacuated before the eye-sore housing developments are torn down between 11am and midday on Sunday.

Some roads near the buildings will be closed, parking restrictions will be in place and there will be some disruption to local bus services.

More than 320 new homes will be built on the site as part of the council’s 21st Century Homes regeneration plans.

 

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