Demolition day marks the start of a new era for Bracknell

12 Sep 2013 08:38

People never thought it would happen, but work on the regeneration of Bracknell has finally started

Bulldozers have finally moved in to Bracknell this week nearly two decades after regeneration plans were first aired.

Sceptics never thought they would see it happen but the towns D-Day demolition day came on Tuesday when the most visible sign of the regeneration yet could be seen from The Ring.

Diggers descended on the town and the first building to be transformed into a pile of rubble and a cloud of dust was the former Lovegrove Funeral Directors, opposite the rear of Waitrose.

Councillor Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, hopes the sceptics, who said they will believe it when they see it, will eat their words with humility.

He added: I have always believed in it, but then I have had a very privileged view, knowing the news before everyone else.

I am sure many people will get a twinge of nostalgia as those buildings come down but we have got to clear away the old to build the new.

Builders have spent the past month stripping and removing utilities and asbestos from empty units in Broadway and Crossway, which businesses vacated by June 4, as part of Phase Two of the town centre regeneration.

Demolition was due to start as early as July but that work was held up after some buildings were found to be riddled with asbestos.

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Demolition day marks the start of a new era for Bracknell