Controlled explosions bring down Edinburgh flats
Demolition contractors brought down three notorious tower blocks in Edinburgh on the weekend through controlled explosions.
The three blocks in the North Sighthill area of the city were successfully demolished on Sunday morning, having long been vacated by the 285 families that once lived in them.
Council chiefs in Edinburgh have welcomed their destruction, stating that their removal will make way for complete regeneration of the area.
The head of the council's health, social care and housing committee, Norman Work, said that the demolition marked a "major shift" in the council's 21st century social housing strategy.
"I know that many people will have fond memories of the North Sighthill flats but I'm also sure that most will recognise the need for progress and investment in the area," he said. "Sunday's demolition is part of a programme of council-led investment worth up to £150m aiming to build 1,300 homes across the capital."
The demolition was watched from afar by hundreds of local people. An exclusion zone was set up around the flats, with some road closures put in place and buses running on diversions. The replacement development will see some 320 homes built in place of the flats, half of which will be affordable housing.
