'I remember for a split second, it was silence' - the day Blackpool's Layton flats disappeared forever
“One minute it’s all there, and within 19 seconds, three buildings disappeared.”
It literally took 20 seconds for Queens Park flats in Layton to fall when they were demolished ten years ago today.
Charles Court, Ashworth Court, Elizabeth Court and Churchill Court were built in the 1960s – Walter Robinson Court in 1972 – and the flats were an architects’ bold vision of the future, building up instead of across.
But several decades on, they had run their course. It was a natural end because they were troubled, were in poor state of repair with damp, high maintenance costs and a reputation for social and environmental issues.
The controlled demolition of the iconic tower blocks was scheduled for July 31, 2016 at 10am but they faced a brief 30 minute delay on the morning of the event while the last residents in the exclusion zone were moved from the area.
Our reporters and photographers were there, on hand to capture the action and live streaming the demolition on Facebook.
The Gazette’s Colin Ainscough captured the event on video and took charge of the Facebook Live. He recalled how the area around the flats was buzzing with anticipation.
“We knew that the demolition of the remaining flats was going to be a historic moment for Blackpool's ever changing skyline,” he said, “so we began preparing weeks in advance.
“I remember visiting the area two weeks before the event in an attempt to find the perfect spot to film the big moment.
“As luck would have it, a lovely couple who lived directly opposite the tower blocks happened to be having major work carried out on their property, with scaffolding covering the entire building.
“I'm not sure this would pass today's health and safety regulations, but on that day we agreed that I could set my camera up and broadcast live from roof level as the towers came down.”
A feeling of anticipation
“On the day itself, the area around the flats was buzzing with anticipation. Road closures were in place and barriers held back the growing crowds at ground level.
“From my rooftop vantage point, I began filming, filling the airtime during the live broadcast until the klaxon sounded to begin the countdown.
“The booming detonations followed around a minute later, but as the buildings began to collapse there was a strange silence in the air.
“For a split second, thousands of people watched in near silence before the falling rubble finally hit the ground, creating a tsunami of dust and debris that mushroomed out from the site.
“Moments later, the silence gave way to cheers and applause.
“Needless to say, my exposed vantage point offered no shelter from the enormous dust cloud.”
Away from the exclusion zone, hundreds gathered on the top of Sainsbury’s car park on Talbot Road to witness this latest chapter in Blackpool’s history.
Among them was Brunswick Ward councillor Simon Blackburn, who was leader of Blackpool Council.
He said: “There are mixed emotions.
“I have represented Queens Park since 2007, nearly ten years, and we have spent a lot of time campaigning there and working with lots of people.
“But most of that has been around the poor quality of the housing, people complaining about damp and noise.
“It was always a constant battle trying to keep these properties in decent shape.
“So it was the right thing to do, but looking across there it has dramatically changed the skyline.
“It has gone well today and we can get cracking now with buildings lots more family homes.”
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Phil Harrison, 49, from Blackpool, watching from Boothley Road, said the speed at which they fell to the ground was ‘eerie’.
On that day, he said: “One minute it’s all there, and within 19 seconds, three buildings disappeared.
“It was very eerie how quiet it was falling to the ground... crazy.”
Neil Fisher, 48, from Blackpool, added: “All you can see now is a massive pile of rubble behind everything.”
The clean-up
The clean-up operation began immediately, with work to reopen Devonshire Road the priority.
In the coming days, workers from Lovells, which carried out the demolition, continued top clean the site – and nearby residents will have their windows cleaned as well.
The demolition was the second phase of the Queens Park redevelopment programme.