Careful demolition of Epsom water tower begins
The brick-by-brick demolition of Epsom’s Horton Water Tower is finally underway, much to the relief of residents living in its shadow.
People living on the Livingstone housing development, which has been built around the foot of the tower, have been campaigning for its removal for a number of years, but have seen their efforts hindered by red tape and procedural delays.
Demolition contractors have now erected scaffolding around the Surrey edifice, however, and have begun work on the careful dismantling of the tower. A controlled explosion was out of the question for the demolition, due to the proximity of the homes and other buildings around it.
Local resident, Kate Batrick said that they were all looking forward to being rid of the building.
“It should have come down when Livingstone was first done which was a long time ago,” she said. “When it’s gone it will just be joyous. There will be no tower hanging over us. It caused quite a wind tunnel and there will be more daylight, particularly during the winter period, and there will be no pigeon mess.”
The demolition is scheduled to take nine weeks, after which the site will be landscaped and a plaque laid to commemorate the site of the old Horton Hospital.
