Demolition day arrives for former Bradford and Bingley headquarters

DEMOLITION day has finally arrived for the former Bradford and Bingley headquarters, which is being torn down to the delight of local people.

Two giant machines are now hard at work at the rear of the massive derelict building which has long been regarded as a blight on the town.

Powerful hydraulic jaws at the end of the wrecking machines' arms are dismantling the concrete walls and removing huge steel structural beams with near surgical precision.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: "I am absolutely delighted that this is finally happening. It has taken a long time. But I am conscious that this is just a first step and we need to see a redevelopment of the site quickly so that it brings footfall into Bingley town centre."

Bingley chamber of trade chairman Howard Martin looked on happily as part of the site was carefully ripped apart, with debris being removed by a stream of waste wagons.

"That was where my office used to be once upon a time and that was the old canteen," said Mr Martin pointing to rooms now opened up to the elements."

"I'm so glad that after all the talk and all the waiting we finally have action," he said.

"Sainsbury's said they would begin work in the New Year and that's what they've done and you can already see a clear gap between the two parts of the old building," Mr Martin said.

Reverend Canon Beverley Mason of All Saint's Church, Main Street has campaigned for removal for the building she described as "casting a sad, dark shadow" over the town.

And she described the demotion as "wonderful news."

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Demolition day arrives for former Bradford and Bingley headquarters