Residents and others affected have been thanked for their patience and understanding during an emergency road closure last night to ensure the demolition of an unsafe building could be conducted safely and efficiently.
The closure of the A5284 Stricklandgate in Kendal was in place from 7.30pm on Tuesday night due to the urgent demolition of properties 133 to 139 Stricklandgate. The closure was due to be in place until 3am this morning but was able to be lifted sooner as the work was carried out faster than expected.
Westmorland and Furness Council's Building Control served a dangerous structure notice on the properties yesterday following a period of close monitoring.
The building had deteriorated to the point where it was considered to be an immediate safety risk and causing danger to the public and therefore required demolition.
Highways and Building Control teams worked together to make sure the operation was delivered safely and as efficiently as possible.
In May last year, the council requested that a structural assessment be carried out to establish the condition of the building and that necessary remedial works be carried out. Receivers had control of the building and they arranged the assessment and necessary propping works.
On 1 February this year the receivers were advised the building had further deteriorated and an urgent assessment was needed. Confirmation was received from the receivers' engineer on Monday that immediate action was needed to remove the walls to first floor level, which resulted in the serving of the dangerous structure notice.
A spokesperson for the council said: "The structures have been subject to a monitoring regime by Building Control for some time but deteriorated to the point where they were considered to present an immediate safety risk and danger to the public and the council took immediate action.
"It was therefore not possible to give more advanced notice of this road closure and work and we thank everybody affected for their patience and understanding. We are pleased to report the demolition was carried out successfully and the road reopened before 3am.
"The owner arranged for the structure to be demolished to first floor height to remove the immediate risk. This was arranged and paid for by the receivers responsible for the building.
"The council has now asked for a meeting with the receivers to ensure there is a clear plan of action to address the site's significant detrimental impact on that part of Kendal."