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Second of Glasgow's iconic Red Road tower blocks demolished | Second of Glasgow's iconic Red Road tower blocks demolished |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The second of eight iconic Glasgow Red Road high rises has been razed to the ground in a controlled explosion. | |
Hundreds gathered to watch the demolition of the 30-storey building at Birnie Court. | |
It took five seconds and about 88kg of explosives to reduce the tower to 10,000 tonnes of debris. | |
The remaining six condemned blocks at Red Road are to be demolished by 2017 as part of a Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) regeneration project. | |
Built in the mid 1960s, these eight blocks housed about 4,000 people and were once the highest flats in Europe. | Built in the mid 1960s, these eight blocks housed about 4,000 people and were once the highest flats in Europe. |
Fewer than 300 people now live there, after decades of the buildings becoming run down. | |
Even after falling into decline, the estate remained an important part of the Glasgow skyline and formed the inspiration for many books and films. | Even after falling into decline, the estate remained an important part of the Glasgow skyline and formed the inspiration for many books and films. |
While many artists, writers and film-makers were initially attracted by the architecture, it was the residents that maintained their interest. | While many artists, writers and film-makers were initially attracted by the architecture, it was the residents that maintained their interest. |
In 2006, director Andrea Arnold used the flats as the setting for her Scottish Bafta winning film Red Road. | In 2006, director Andrea Arnold used the flats as the setting for her Scottish Bafta winning film Red Road. |
Alison Irvine's 2011 novel This Road is Red was based on interviews with people living there. | |
Frances Smith, 49, from Bishopbriggs, lived at Red Road when she was a teenager. | |
She said: "It was a great place to grow up. In fact, I'm still in touch with some of the people even now. | |
"We also lived in one of the other blocks at Red Road, but Birnie Court was different. | |
"It was a bit away from the other flats. It was very well kept as the caretaker was really strict. The second my mum saw the flat she was sold on it. | |
"We had our own little community. At one point there were 17 children living in our landing on the 12th floor. It was a great time." | |
GHA executive director Alex McGuire, said the demolition was "another step in the ongoing regeneration of Glasgow". | |
He added: "I'd like to thank all of the residents and businesses for their cooperation both before and after the blowdown." | |
About 450 homes were temporarily evacuated during the demolition. | |
The first of the tower blocks was demolished in June last year. |