Tarfside Oval towers brought low

Dem-Master and Safedem combined efforts to bring down the top 16 floors of three 22 storey 60 m (197 ft) blocks of flats at Tarfside Oval in Cardonald, Glasgow, in a controlled implosion on Sunday September 20 on behalf of client Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). The remaining six storeys are to be brought down using machines following the implosion. More than 6,000 individual charges set by Dem-Master and Safedem totalling 180 kg (396 lb) were used to bring the blocks down,

A fourth block at the site is to be brought down using a high reach excavator since the proximity of nearby homes meant that the use of explosives was ruled out. The site is being cleared to make way for a planned £5 million (US$7.8 million) redevelopment of 50 new homes, with work expected to start in late 2016 subject to relevant approvals being gained.

Alex McGuire, director of property for GHA’s parent company Wheatley Group, said: "The demolitions will allow us to breathe new life into the community and transform it for future generations. The new homes planned will make a massive difference to the lives of tenants and to the wider neighbourhood.”

"We are committed to playing a major role in changing the face of housing in Glasgow for the better and delivering high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes in which people want to live. We’d like to thank the residents and businesses for their patience and support during this major regeneration work."

Dem-Master director Richard McCulloch said: "Dem-Master is delighted to be working in partnership with GHA and to be involved in such a major regeneration project. Our thanks go to the residents and community in Tarfside for their co-operation, patience and understanding.”

"We will continue to work with the community as we bring the demolition and clearance of the site to a close over the coming months. I would also like to thank the teams at Dem-Master and Safedem for delivering this stage of this technically-challenging project safely and to programme."