IT'S a regular sight in Las Vegas - but it will be a first for Glasgow, and Scotland, when two multi-storeys are demolished in the middle of the night.
IT'S a regular sight in Las Vegas - but it will be a first for Glasgow, and Scotland, when two multi-storeys are demolished in the middle of the night.
Glasgow Housing Association, which manages the blocks in Sighthill, claims the unusual demolition time is down to the fact there is a main railway line just a few metres away.
Because of this, explosive experts will have to raze the building when the line is least busy - in the wee small hours.
But there is one possible benefit to the time - demolition by floodlight should make the event spectacular for those who stay up to watch.
Cities such as entertainment capital Las Vegas commonly do showcase blow downs in the dark.
It will take just a few seconds to reduce the blocks, 2-4 Fountainwell Place and 16-18 Foun-tainwell Place, to tonnes of rubble.
Nearby residents will be evacuated overnight for safety reasons.
The main Glasgow to Edinburgh line runs through Sighthill, in the north of the city and both GHA and Network Rail say they were keen to avoid any disruption.
Passengers should not be affected by the demolition, due to take place during the summer.
Jim Sneddon, GHA's executive director of regeneration, said: "This is a complex and challenging demolition.
"However, a lot of preparation has been undertaken and we are very grateful for the co- operation shown by our partners, including Network Rail.
"The demolition will take place in the early hours to ensure services in and out of Queen Street aren't disrupted."
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We are confident all appropriate safety measures are in place to ensure that all trains can run safely on the line."
The flats, which have been standing for more than 40 years, are being brought down as part of GHA's ambitious regeneration plan.
Three other blocks are also due to be demolished, while five in neighbouring Pinkston Drive are also expected to be razed. If given the go-ahead, a masterplan will see the area transformed with 2000 new homes, shops and businesses over the next decade.
Residents were moved out of the multi-storeys months ago, with some offered GHA homes, and others moving to new homes run by other housing associations.
Tower blocks at Shawbridge Street in Pollokshaws will come down a week after the Fountainwell high-rises.
Three weeks ago, two Gorbals tower blocks, in Stirlingfauld Place, were also demolished to make way for regeneration.
