Glasgow Tower to turn again

A £1.8million renovation means the tower, Scotland's tallest free-standing building, will be able to turn 360 degrees, giving visitors a panoramic view of the city and beyond.

No date has been specified for the re-opening - but it may be open in time for the 2014 Common-wealth Games, which will run between July 23 and August 3.

The £9m, 127-metre-tall tower has had a troubled existence.

It has operated only intermittently since the centre opened in 2001 - and it has been closed for the last two years.

But Dr Stephen Breslin, chief executive of Glasgow Science Centre, said he is confident that works currently under way will provide a "robust and reliable" solution to the tower's technical issues.

"I am confident that the new lift design and main-tenance work will allow us to operate the tower relia-bly," he said. "It's great news for the centre and for Glasgow."

Earlier this year it was reported that an out-of-court settlement had been secured from the contract-ors, Carillion, who built the flawed structure.

At the time Dr Breslin indicated that engineers had been commissioned to "put together a fairly detailed design and costing for re-opening the tower", adding: "I will only commit money if we have a workable solution."

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Times, he said: "I am delighted to announce we are starting work that will bring the tower back into full operation by next summer.

"The major work we are doing involves putting in a new set of lifts. Most of the historical problems have been with the lifts, and the new set will resolve all of these outstanding issues.

ISSUES with the bearing have now largely been repaired.

"We have reached settlement on the out­­­st-anding litigation, which is what had delayed matters, and that is what freed us up to focus on the solution.

"Over the last six months we have been working with engineers and consultants to come up with a solution that would finally resolve all the issues with the tower.

"We always get requests from Glaswegians and visitors, who want to be able to go up the tower and enjoy the view, so we'll be able to provide that at last.

"The cost is worth it. The tower is an asset to the science centre and the city, and it's something we should be proud of. When all of this work is carried out, and when the tower is once again operational as designed, we can be proud of it."

The tower renovation is the latest development over the last 18 months aimed at re-invigorating the science centre.

Earlier this year the "hugely successful" Body Works exhibition opened, which has contributed to record visitor numbers.

The centre also laun-ched a partnership with Cineworld to re-invigorate the Imax cinema.

The tower, which has attracted 109,506 visitors since it opened, is designed to turn into the prevailing wind to reduce sway.

Dr Breslin said: "It is a stunning building and an incredible piece of engineering.

"It has been over-shadowed by certain issues - but we will resolve them, finally."

The major contractors involved are the UK arm of Swedish lift-maker Alimak Hek and the consulting engineers are Elevate Consulting.

Of the £1.8 million cost, £800,000 has been recov-ered in legal settlements. Scottish Enterprise has given £500,000, and Glas-gow City Council £376,000.

Councillor Liz Came-ron, Glasgow City Council executive member for Jobs and the Economy, said: "The reopening of the Glasgow Tower will be marvellous for the city, making a Clydeside visit even more attractive.

"The renovation of this building, truly one of a kind, will allow everyone to appreciate the cutting-edge design and science behind it, and see it mak-ing its full contribution to Glasgow's scientific and engineering heritage. "

SCOTTISH Enterprise business infrastructure director Allan McQuade said: "Having the tower fully operational will complement other developments.

"These include the recent opening of the SSE Hydro Arena on the opposite side of the River Clyde.

"These iconic structures cement Glasgow's reputation for bold architectural statements and enhance our tourism and cultural attractiveness globally."

russell.leadbetter@ eveningtimes.co.uk