Final Red Road flats demolition to provide opening ceremony drama

The final blocks of Glasgow’s famous Red Road housing estate will be blown up during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

The last five towers to go will be detonated simultaneously and broadcast live during the ceremony on July 23.

The 30-storey structures will be gone in 15 seconds. It will be the biggest demolition of its kind ever seen in Europe, according to the BBC.

“By sharing the final moments of the Red Road flats with the world as part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow is proving it is a city that is proud of its history but doesn’t stand still, a city that is constantly regenerating, renewing and re-inventing itself,” said Eileen Gallagher from games organiser Glasgow 2014.

The estate was designed by architect Sam Bunton and built between 1964 and 1969 and has been a significant part of the city’s skyline for 50 years.

The first block was detonated in June 2012. A second demolition took place last year.

After July just one tower will remain which is home to people seeking asylum in the UK.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: “Red Road has an iconic place in Glasgow’s history, having been home to thousands of families and dominating the city’s skyline for decades.

“Their demolition will all but mark the end of high-rise living in the area and is symbolic of the changing face of Glasgow, not least in terms of our preparations for the games.”