THE decision to demolish five tower blocks during the Glasgow 2014 opening ceremony has sparked a wave of controversy.
Five of the six Red Road high-rise flats, which have dominated part of the city's skyline for 50 years, will come down as part of the Commonwealth Games curtain-raiser on July 23.
The demolition of the flats will be shown across a 100ft-screen positioned at Celtic Park and will be broadcast to more than one billion TV viewers.
Glasgow 2014 organisers said it was a "bold image" that would showcase the regeneration of the city to the world.
However, the idea of destroying the buildings as part of the Games celebrations has provoked strong reaction from some of the city's residents, with the Very Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth, provost of St Mary's Cathedral, describing it as in poor taste. Patricia Ferguson, who is MSP for the area, grew up in the Red Road flats. She said she was unsure if she would attend the event as it may prove too emotional.
She said: "It's fair to say I'm still trying to get my head around the whole idea. It's certainly bold. I think it's interesting creative minds have thought this is the way they would want to weave the history of Glasgow into the Games.
"For many of my constituents the question will be: 'How do we now look to the future?'"
The blocks, which were originally due to be brought down over the next two years, will be demolished under controlled conditions using more than 1250kg of explosives. One block - 33 Petershill Court - is currently used to house asylum seekers and will come down at a later date. Games organisers said residents in 887 homes near the Red Road site would be temporarily evacuated during the event.
Glasgow City Council leader, Councillor Gordon Matheson, said: "There is no doubt this will be a hugely emotional moment for former residents who live near and far, but it is a celebration of the significant role Red Road has played in our city's social history over the years."
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