Thursday 03 May 2012
GCCDangerous building on London Road to be demolishedA tenement block on London Road is to be demolished after it was found to be in a dangerous condition.
Following evacuation of the buildings earlier in the year, owners of the block - which takes in 590-598 London Road and 2-8 Landressy Street - were served with a notice to either repair or demolish the building. That notice lapsed on 27 April, 2012.
Building control officers from the council have assessed the building again this week and have recommended that the only option left to maintain public safety is to demolish it. All owners have been informed of this decision by registered letter and the demolition will begin next week.
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “The block on London Road and Landressy Street is in a very dangerous condition and continues to show concerning signs of movement and deterioration since the evacuation.
“While we are fully appreciative of the distress this decision may cause, we hope owners and tenants will understand that public safety is paramount and the demolition of the entire block is now essential.
“We expected that the process of demolition will begin next week. Roads will remain closed until the work is completed. We will endeavour to reopen London Road as soon as possible.”
In January, council officers were called in by people living in the tenement when large cracks appeared inside the building overnight. It was also found to have existing and extensive cracks elsewhere and there had been movement in the façade and internal structure.
Residents were evacuated for their own safety and London Road was shut while investigations were carried out. However the building has continued to show significant signs of continued movement and deterioration. As the block was in an unsafe condition, the council then informed residents and owners that a dangerous building notice was to be issued requiring repair or demolition.