Wrecking machine tackles old college

Demolition of the old Walsall College tower block was moving apace today as workers began using a nibbler machine at the site.

The building served as the main administration offices and tuition classrooms at the St Paul's Street premises.

It is being bulldozed to make way for a proposed multi-million pound Tesco superstore. Work to pull down the block has begun with the interior fittings stripped and removed. A corner of the building overlooking Littleton Street West has been knocked away revealing bare walls and floors.

Billy Young, contracts manager of demolition firm DSM, said: "The removal of the main college building is the latest milestone in the project and we are pleased with progress so far. We are on schedule to complete demolition on the site early next year as expected.

"The site team have already stripped the building and it will now take around a week to remove the floors one at a time from the top with a long reach machine."

A new £64 million college has opened nearby in Littleton Street West on land next to the Leather Museum in a land swap with Tesco.

The new supermarket is due to open in spring 2011.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Tony Fletcher said: "Demolition work is progressing on the Tesco site and with the new college already open, it is an exciting time for residents in Walsall.

"The demolition of the old college has been carefully planned with a lot of consideration given to the surrounding area and we are delighted with how it is moving forward.

"We have worked hard to ensure the details of the scheme co-ordinate with the overall vision for regeneration in the local area and are confident the new store will give a better shopping experience for residents when it opens in spring, 2011."