Iconic silos dismantled at Goodyear in Wolverhampton

The huge silos have been part of the vista for decades and their removal marks the last of the Goodyear factory landmarks to disappear.

The site’s famous blue Goodyear chimney was brought down in 2008.

The structures, which stood along Bushbury Lane, were at one time used as containers for processing the compound that went into making the world famous tyres at the Goodyear factory.

Cyril Barrett, chairman of the Unite branch at Goodyear said: “It’s absolutely devastating. It’s heartbreaking to see these iconic silos dismantled.

“They’ve been such an important part of the city’s skyline since the very beginning.

“We’ve already seen the Goodyear chimney go, this is another blow to the people that devoted their lives to working for Goodyear.”

Contractors from Walsall-based company Atticrose Group are dismantling them. The silos are now to be taken away and scrapped.

Mr Barrett added: “Whenever you drove over the bridge at Bushbury Lane, they were one of the first things you saw.

“When we drive over there now, there will be a gap in the view.”

Mike Pearce 57, of Cannock, worked at the factory for 28 years. He was a key operator at the firm and is also a keen photographer who often used the landmarks as inspiration for his digitally enhanced pictures.

He said: “It’s the final landmark of Goodyear that is being removed.

“I mean, they weren’t the prettiest of things to look at, but they became part of the local area.”

The factory is due to finally close sometime in June. Only around 30 workers remain at the site closing it down.

Managing director of Atticrose Kate Kitson-Yeoman said: “The silos have been a prominent feature in the landscape for as long as most of us can remember.”

There are now plans for 200 homes to be built on the site.