Stabilisation work has begun on three sides of Glasgow School of Art's damaged Mackintosh Building.

A major blaze started in the building at around 11.15pm on Friday, 15 June, spreading to nearby buildings and causing extensive damage.

Two cranes and two mobile elevated working platforms (MEWP) were brought on site last week, enabling work to be undertaken at a high level on the east gable, south façade and north façade.

Work has now progressed to the east gable and south façade of the building.

On the east gable remedial steel restraint strapping was installed to allow for the removal of the existing scaffolding, which is to be replaced by new, shoring scaffolding.

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SGB is currently undertaking work to remove the existing scaffolding.

Professor Tom Inns said: "We are now three weeks into the stabilisation programme. Although there was some down time for the cranes over the weekend, due to high winds making it too dangerous for the workmen, the downtaking remains on schedule.

"Our focus continues to be on the east gable and south façade which are the areas of the building impacting most on our neighbours, and we hope to begin installing the shoring scaffolding later this week.

"We are grateful to Glasgow City Council for stepping in to commission necessary safety works on the ABC O2 building. This will enable us to move the main crane to the corner of Scott Street and start work on the west end of the Mackintosh Building above Sauchiehalll Street.

"We continue to work closely with Glasgow City Council Building Standards keeping them advised of the progress of the work so they can review the position of the security cordon."

(CM)