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Second of Glasgow's iconic Red Road tower blocks demolished | Second of Glasgow's iconic Red Road tower blocks demolished |
(35 minutes later) | |
The second of eight iconic Glasgow Red Road high rises has been razed to the ground in a controlled explosion. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Alison Irvine's 2011 novel This Road is Red was based on interviews with people living there. |
'Little community' | |
Frances Smith, 49, from Bishopbriggs, lived at Red Road when she was a teenager. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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". | 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." | 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. | About 450 homes were temporarily evacuated during the demolition. |
The first of the tower blocks was demolished in June last year. | The first of the tower blocks was demolished in June last year. |