WORK to demolish Coatbridge’s 172-foot Jackson Court tower is progressing, North Lanarkshire Council has said.
By the end of February, the tower – built in 1971 – is expected to be almost at ground level, with the remainder of the structure anticipated to be down within the next four to six weeks.
The project faced early structural challenges, but after detailed planning a new approach was put in place. One end of the building was taken down floor by floor using remote-controlled excavators – creating a wider safety zone and clearing the way for the next stage. An ultra-high reach rig is now removing the tower in sections, with standard high-reach machinery set to work alongside it to bring the remaining structure safely to the ground.
Jackson Court forms part of the council’s long-term plan to demolish all 48 of its high-rise blocks, with several towers in Airdrie and Motherwell already removed. Work is also underway at neighbouring Dunbeth Court, where internal stripping has begun. That tower is expected to be demolished over the next 18 months. The third block on the site, High Coats, is currently being used to support Ukrainian families who were forced to flee the conflict in their homeland.
The demolition will make way for 54 new homes on the former Jackson Court site. Plans include new 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 homes.
Councillor Michael McPake, convener of housing at North Lanarkshire Council, 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.
“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.”
