One of the world's leading demolition team has begun preparation work for what is thought to be the first UK blow down of the new millennium.

At 12 noon on February 20, Cleckheaton-based Controlled Demolition Group will bring down the 19-storey Barkway Court tower block in Hackney.

The company, renowned at home and abroad for its meticulous, scientific approach to demolition, has already moved on site to begin the controlled removal of asbestos.

It will then start to soft strip the 1960s concrete block of flats and pre-weaken it by drilling into the loadbearing walls.

Literally thousands of holes will be drilled into the structure ready to take explosives on nine of the 19 floors which will be placed just before demolition in February.

The contract to demolish Barkway Court, in Brownswood Road, Hackney, is the thirteenth blow down project Controlled Demolition Group has carried out for Hackney Council.

Charles Moran, managing director of Controlled Demolition Group, said: "Public safety is obviously the first consideration when planning a demolition in a built-up area.

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