Inverness:
CITY-CENTRE AREA CORDONED OFF AMID MASONRY FEARS
08:50 - 22 November 2007 - Press and Journal
An Area in the centre of Inverness was still cordoned off yesterday amid fears of falling masonry.
Metal fences remained around the building occupied by Barclays Bank, on the corner of Union Street and Drummond Street, after a structural survey of buildings revealed that two chimney stacks were a "high risk" to public safety.
Last night Highland Council said that work to remove the two chimney stacks would begin once the owners of the building had given their consent.
The local authority said that dangerous building notices were sent out to the owners in question.
The area was cordoned off to all traffic and pedestrians until the emergency works are carried out, although pedestrians were still allowed access to one of the pavements on Union Street.
The shops in the area also remained open.
Yesterday, David Polson, the council's area planning and building standards manager, said: "Two cranes will have to be used to remove the chimneys stone by stone.
"The building is listed. It's of historical and architectural importance. The stones will be numbered and taken down very carefully so that they are not damaged. They will then be stored somewhere.
"The roof will be made wind proof and water tight on a temporary basis before the stones are put back up."
He said it was the responsibility of the building's owner to carry out the work, but if needed the council would step in and do the work.
The survey was carried out on building facades in Church Street and Union Street as part of the Streetscape project being run by Inverness City Centre partnership.
A council spokesman said last night that it was not possible to estimate how long the disruption would last.
He said: "The owners will be sent a letter explaining the implications of the notice, which will specify seven days for the building to be made safe. This can be extended if necessary and if no action is taken then the council can step in, carry out the works and seek to recover costs. We have no reason to believe this will be necessary however."
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