A LAST-minute bid by campaigners to halt the demolition of the Cockenzie Power Station chimneys has been launched – just days before they are due to come down.
Urban designer Ross McEwen, who last month won a victory in Edinburgh to stop the destruction of a 178-year-old building in the city’s Canonmills, has been called on to try and halt Saturday’s demolition.
He was asked to get involved by Haddington resident Shaeron Averbuch, who has sent a letter to East Lothian Council, the First Minister and local politicians calling for the demolition to be stopped.
She said: “The existing power station is a landmark building which is about to be blown up in a matter of days. This is a huge mistake and not one with any realistic vision for a future to create a sense of place for the people who live in the area.”
Thousands of spectators are expected to turn out to watch the iconic chimneys come down on Saturday, when the demolition is set to finally take place.
The controlled explosions are expected to be watched from land and sea, with strictly enforced exclusion zones surrounding the site.
Police Scotland and East Lothian Council have opted not to issue any ‘where to view’ advice but locations such as Longniddry beach, Levenhall Lagoons, Yellowcraig, Meadowmill Bing, Morrison’s Haven and even Traprain Law should all be great vantage points. The Greenhills will be out of bounds for safety reasons during the demolition, which is due to take place at noon.
Immediately after the towers come down, a second explosion will demolish the turbine hall, which stands in front of the 149-metre-high towers.
Ross McEwen – who is involved in a project called JUMP, which promotes at coastal cultural links – admitted his attempts to stop the demolition came “late in the day”.
He said: “I have been asked to get involved after our success at Canonmills, but accept it is very late. We are considering options.”
ScottishPower said they were not aware of anything which might stop Saturday’s planned demolition.
Demolition experts Brown and Mason have been on site for months preparing for the demolition and taking apart the site.
In preparation for the chimneys coming down, nesting boxes on site for peregrine falcons have been moved to a safe area and bird scarers are being used to discourage other birds from being in the area around the time of the explosions.
While a number of people are expected to take to the Firth of Forth on Saturday to watch the demolition, most are likely to try and find a vantage point on land.