NEXT week is the end of the line for Westbury’s iconic chimney as the 400ft landmark is set to be demolished at 7am on Sunday 18th September.
Unless the weather is too bad, the landmark chimney at the former Tarmac cement works will be blown up using explosives.
Local girl, Lily Sargent, will be pressing the big red button that brings down the chimney, after she won a drawing competition. Some roads and footpaths will be closed in the area, and local people are encouraged to watch the once-in-a-lifetime event from a special viewing area at the top of the White Horse.
Tarmac spokesman Daniel Daniels says, “Members of the public are strongly encouraged to view the demolition from the safety of the viewing area where a commentary on the event will take place.
“Please can people not stop along the B3098, but instead go to the car park at the top of the White Horse. A barrier will be in place to ensure a safe viewing area and marshals from the Westbury Lions, along with Wiltshire Police, will be on hand to ensure the viewing is enjoyed by all. We recommend that you allow enough time for your journey to the site to arrive before 6.45am.
“Please note that there will be no toilet or refreshment services provided for the viewing and that overnight camping and use of disposable barbecues is not permitted. Members of the public wishing to take photographs or video the demolition will be able to do so, although use of drones is not permitted as these may interfere with the demolition process and safety is a priority.”
Driving and footpath closures
The roads leading to and from the White Horse will have a one-way system in place on Newtown, Long River Road, Portway and Castle Road.
Restrictions will be clearly indicated by traffic signs and are expected to last between 5am and 8.30am.
The exclusion zone around the Tarmac Cement works will be in line with regulatory requirements and will result in the following footpaths being temporarily closed: HEYW27, WEST57, BRAT 31 (closed from Capps Lane to Horse Croft Farm), HEYW18, and HEYW28 (closed from Coach Road to Park Lane).
The demolition of the 400ft chimney will symbolically mark the end of over 40 years of cement production at the site, which was mothballed in 2009.
