A former steelworks in Redcar has been pulled down in what is believed to be one of the biggest explosive demolitions in the UK.
In dramatic scenes – in which the structure disappeared in a cloud of dust and smoke with a blast that could reportedly be heard eight miles away – the 65-metre-high Basic Oxygen Steelmaking plant was blown up on Saturday morning.
The plant was shut down and liquidated in 2015, 98 years after the steelworks, which supplied the steel for Sydney Harbour Bridge, was built and four years after it was bought by SSI UK. Production was stopped in the same month when it was announced that there was no realistic prospect of it being bought.
The biggest controlled explosion in the country for 75 years, we’re told. The BOS plant at Redcar’s former steelworks brought down by 1.6 tonnes of explosives. pic.twitter.com/qG9DxIyeTe
— Ian Reeve (@IanReevebiz) October 1, 2022
The Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen, who pressed the detonation button in front of a crowd of spectators, said it was a “bittersweet” moment.
“Each demolition of the former steelmaking structures on this site is a bittersweet moment as they have played such a huge part in shaping our communities, people and identity for decades,” he said.
“Ever since the SSI steelworks closure brought so much heartache to our region almost seven years ago to the day, this plant has laid dormant and unused.”
He added: “While we remember our past, we must never lose sight of the reason we’re doing this. I made a promise to build a better future for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool and today is another part of delivering upon that.”
Highlighting nearby construction of SeAH Wind’s offshore wind manufacturing plant and plans for Net Zero Teesside, a power plant with carbon capture, utilisation and storage, Houchen said the move was an investment in the future.
“We’re continuing to clear the way to bring more cleaner, safer and healthier industries of tomorrow, creating good-quality jobs for local people.”
The demolition, which used about 1.6 tonnes of explosives, was one of the biggest of its kind ever to take place in the UK, according to Tees Valley Combined Authority.
The building is understood to have held about 105,000 tonnes of steel.
