News: Rotherham demolition specialists set to work at steelworks

Rotherham-based specialists, Ron Hull Demolition, has begun work at the former Outokumpu steelworks site at Stocksbridge near Sheffield.

Production ceased two years ago and the site was handed over last month. Following the completion of preparation work, specialist teams have now started taking down the former mills and workshops.

The project is expected to take around twelve weeks in preparation for a multi-million pound redevelopment.

Ron Hull Operations Director Martin Wall said: "From our point of view the operation is relatively straightforward. All of the steel making machinery and equipment has now been removed from the buildings after being bought by firms around the world, so we're dealing with empty shells.

"The site does have important gas and electricity supplies running through, not to mention a high pressure water main, but that's nothing we're not used to dealing with and we are not anticipating any problems.

"The most spectacular part of the demolition will be the removal of the 100-foot-high furnace tower. At one stage we did consider explosive demolition but because of the proximity of a railway line and buildings not scheduled for demolition we are bringing in a high reach machine to take it down traditionally."

In line with modern demolition practice, almost all the materials recovered from the site are to be recycled.

The steel, iron and other metals from the structures are being removed to the firm's recycling centre in Rotherham, where it will be processed and sorted before being sold on, to the steelworks at Rotherham or Scunthorpe.

Ron Hull Demolition website
Rotherham

Images: Ron Hull Demolition