Coatbridge's skyline is being transformed as the 172ft Jackson Court tower enters a significant new stage of demolition. The 1971-built block is now coming down rapidly following detailed engineering work that unlocked the next steps of the programme.

By the end of February, the building is expected to sit almost at pavement level to anyone passing by, with the remaining structure due to be brought down over the following four to six weeks.

After early structural challenges, the team revised its methodology. One end of the block was dismantled floor by floor using remote-controlled excavators, widening the safety exclusion zone and preparing the site for the main works. An ultra-high reach rig is now taking the tower down in sections, with conventional high-reach machinery set to operate alongside it to safely complete the demolition.

Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of Housing, said: "This is a major milestone for Coatbridge and for our wider tower strategy. Jackson Court has been part of the town's skyline for generations, so seeing it come down marks real change.

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"I want to thank the local community for their patience and support as this complex project has progressed. Alongside the demolition itself, our specialist contractor Dem-Master have also created local jobs, provided training opportunities, supported a local nursery, delivered an educational school visit and backed a local Easter charity event. That community commitment really matters."

Jackson Court is part of North Lanarkshire Council's long-term plan to remove all 48 of its high-rise blocks, with several towers in Airdrie and Motherwell already demolished. Nearby Dunbeth Court is now in the strip-out phase and is expected to be taken down over the next 18 months, while the third block on the site, High Coats, is currently accommodating Ukrainian families displaced by the war.

Stephen Llewellyn, Chief Housing Officer, said: "I grew up in Coatbridge and have lived here all my life, so Jackson Court and the other towers have always been part of the backdrop of the town. You could see them from miles away.

"To now see this level of transformation and development taking place is incredible. It's about more than bringing a building down, it's about creating new opportunities and modern homes for future generations. That's something the whole community can look forward to."

"Together, the demolition and redevelopment mark a major step forward in the regeneration of Coatbridge, signalling significant change to the skyline and renewed investment in the heart of the town."

Once cleared, the Jackson Court site will deliver 54 new homes. Proposals feature semi-detached and terraced three-bedroom houses on Coats Street, alongside a five-storey flatted block on Main Street offering a mix of one and two-bedroom properties.