Warehouse’s death warrant signed

CRUMBLING HISTORY: The Park Road warehouse is to be demolished

The historic but derelict Victorian railway warehouse off Park Road is to be “urgently demolished”.

An emergency inspection of the Grade II listed structure reveals that the 1876-built warehouse is in imminent danger of collapse.

The council says work might begin at the end of this week or the beginning of next.

This latest inspection comes 11 days after the warehouse was deemed safe and secure by Oldham Council.

Concerns about the structure of the 78,000 sq ft building grew after parts of the roof and brickwork collapsed. Inspectors returned and said the whole structure needed demolishing.

The warehouse is now believed to be in imminent danger of a partial collapse — and a potential wider collapse. The council has installed barriers in Park Road, close to the junction with Kings Road making it one-way.

People are warned to stay away from the building while demolition arrangements are made.

An access platform was used to carry out a close-up inspection, including tests to check for structural soundness and evidence of movement in the external walls.

Inspectors concluded there had been significant movement in the building since the last survey and a notice requiring urgent demolition was issued.

Councillor Dave Hibbert said: “We need to demolish it as quickly as possible to minimise the potential health and safety risks this building now poses to the public.

“The issues here are structural and serious, and a collapse could occur without warning.

“As a council we respect our heritage and where possible — for example with the schemes at Earl Mill and Anchor Mill — we’ve been able to find viable future uses that have given a new lease of life to some historic buildings.”

The decaying building was put on the market for just £1 in 2003 because it was deemed effectively worthless. The council says there was no demand for the building.

Councillor Hibbert added: “We can’t risk a collapse injuring residents who might be passing by or anyone who may be tempted to stray on to the site.”

Before Christmas, the council said the building was inspected regularly and that plans were in place to ensure the safety of the site.