TWO large quayside cranes were demolished by explosives experts.
The 150ft-tall gooseneck cranes at Cavendish Quay in Birkenhead Docks were brought down early yesterday morning, behind a wide safety cordon strictly imposed by Merseyside Police and the Port of Liverpool Police.
Each weighing 320 tonnes, the cranes which were erected in 1964 and had been mainly used for discharging dry bulk cargoes from ships, had reached the end of their working lives.
Port operator the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company – part of Peel Ports Group – said removing the quayside cranes will allow for better use of the area.
The demolition was undertaken by main contractor Technical Demolition Services (TDS) of Birkenhead and explosives experts Controlled Group of Wakefield.
A spokesman for the Port Police said: “It all went according to plan and there were no incidents.
“The cranes will now be cut up over the next six weeks to clear the area.”
