Demolition of Wellington's Charlton School on track
Work is on track to flatten a vandal-hit abandoned school building, according to the boss of a demolition firm appointed to carry out the work.
Diggers have moved on to the site of the old Charlton School building, in Severn Drive, Wellington, and the buildings are now being stripped of asbestos containing materials.
It is the first phase of a 10-week programme which will see the buildings flattened.
Derby-based East Midlands Demolition is carrying out the work.
Director of the company, Winn Jones, said: "We are working for Telford & Wrekin Council.
"We were appointed through competitive tendering.
"We commenced work on September 19 and are carrying out asbestos removal, then we will start on the demolition.
"Some demolition work has already started on minor buildings that are clear of asbestos.
"We are working to a 10 week programme although we are hoping to achieve better than that.
"It is all going swimmingly."
Former classrooms and teaching buildings, dining accommodation and basement areas are expected to be pulled down.
The work paves the way to see the site redeveloped.
The old school building has suffered from acts of vandalism and West Mercia Police has warned in recent weeks that trespassers have been putting themselves in danger.
Last month, police said that several youths had been reported on the site and officers were patrolling the area on a regular basis.
A fire was also reported in part of the building, windows were smashed and external doors broken open.
The final group of pupils waved goodbye to the school in Severn Drive earlier this year, with classes starting in a £16 million replacement in Apley Avenue.
It was part of Telford & Wrekin Council's £200m Building Schools for the Future project.
The new Charlton School sits on the site of the former Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College, which in turn closed last year and has now reopened as Holy Trinity Academy in Priorslee.
