How the mighty have fallen

8:19am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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TWO 150ft tall quayside cranes - iconic Wirral landmarks for almost half a century - have been demolished by explosive experts.

The gooseneck cranes, each weighing a staggering 320 tonnes, were brought down in a precision operation early on Sunday morning.

“It was a text book operation, everything went according to plan.”

Ben Stafford

A wide exclusion zone was imposed around Cavendish Quay, Birkenhead, by Port of Liverpool and Merseyside Police in order that the two redundant cranes, which were situated next to modern warehousing, could be brought to earth safely.

The cranes had been on site for 44 years. They were built in 1964 and had spent most of their working lives discharging dry bulk cargoes from ships.

The main contractor, Technical Demolition Services of Birkenhead, and explosives experts Controlled Group, of Wakefield, undertook the demolition on behalf of port operator, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company - part of Peel Ports Group - to allow better use of the quayside the cranes occupied.

Engineering services manager Ben Stafford said: "It was a text book operation, everything went according to plan."

Eyewitness Sean Duffy said: "I found it to be a very moving moment.

"They have been part of my life and no doubt many others.

"Many local people who have married at Our Lady's Church on Cavendish Street may not have realised that these dinosaur-like cranes actually became part of the background to their wedding pictures."

The area is included as part of Peel Holdings ambitious multi-billion pound plan to transform the docklands into the "Wirral Waters" business and residential complex on a par with Shanghai and Dubai.

Peel - owners and developers of Liverpool Airport, Manchester's Salford Quays and the Trafford Shopping Centre - have a 30-year plan for the whole area.

This week they are expected to gain planning permission to renovate the old hydraulic tower pump house and turn it into a 91-room hotel and restaurant.