HIGH winds hampered efforts to start the operation to cut up and remove a collapsed crane today.

Experts had hoped to winch workmen into position and begin the delicate task of lifting pieces of the 200ft crane, which collapsed on top of two apartment blocks on Monday.

But all they could do was photograph the scene and work more on their plans.

At a tense meeting last night, residents of the Baltic Triangle apartments voiced their anger over the authorities’ handling of the aftermath.

They demanded better communication over how long they will remain homeless and what out-of-pocket expenses they can claim.

Four apartment blocks were declared no-go areas after the crash four days ago.

The crane is lying across blocks 24 and 26 Cornhill, which were both evacuated at the time.

But concern over the crane’s stability led the emergency services to order everyone out of blocks 31 and 33 the following day.

Occupants of around 120 affected apartments remain in the dark over when they will be able to return home. There are also fears blocks 24 and 26 will have to be torn down because of the damage.

The driver of the crane was thrown from his cab when his machine buckled and collapsed. He suffered injuries to his head, chest and legs and remains in hospital in a “serious but stable” condition.

Eight counterweights – each weighing almost seven tonnes – crashed through one block’s roof and punched their way down to the sub basement.

Residents grilled councillors, the apartment’s managing agent and a insurance loss adjustor over when they will be allowed back home, what would happen to their cars and how they would be reimbursed for buying essentials while they are locked out.