The long-awaited controlled explosive demolition of the chimney stack at the former Aberthaw Power Station is set to take place on Friday. Aberthaw, located in the Vale of Glamorgan, was Wales' last coal-fired power station and closed in 2020. The date for blowing up the landmark chimney stack was only issued on Thursday under advice from police and local authorities.
The chimney is scheduled to come down at 10am on Friday, with viewing starting from 8.30am. Temporary road and access restrictions will be in force near the site leading up to and during the explosion, which will last only seconds and produce a loud "thunderclap" noise. A temporary exclusion zone will also be in force around the demolition area, and only authorised personnel will be allowed inside.
Limpert Bay Road and sections of the Wales Coast Path surrounding the site will be temporarily closed for a short period to allow the demolition to take place safely. Police officers and other officials will be at access points and diversions to advise drivers and walkers. People wanting to watch the explosion are being asked by police and demolition contractors to use the designated viewing event at Fonmon Castle.
Cardiff Capital Region Energy (CCR Energy), the company leading the project to redevelop the site to produce alternative energy, said earlier this year that it had finished demolishing the turbine hall and deaerator bays at the huge site. Now the tower will go too.
Erith Contractors, which is carrying out the demolition with a team of specialist demolition and explosive engineers, said it is being carried out in accordance with UK legislation, industry best practice, and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance. It said the demolition will create "a short-duration noise similar to a loud thunderclap" as the chimney stack is brought down. "While this noise may be noticeable it will be very brief and is expected to last only a few seconds."
The demolition marks a significant step in the future of the Aberthaw site, which first started operating in the 1960s. Environmental and risk assessments have been carried out prior to the demolition of the tower, including a controlled exclusion zone around the demolition area.
Erith said the demolition date has been released on Thursday under guidance from South Wales Police. "Owing to the significant public interest in the event, communications have been carefully managed to help protect public safety, minimise congestion on the local road network, and ensure suitable viewing arrangements are in place," the contractor said. "The site is accessed via a limited road network, and it is essential that access remains available for residents, contractors, and emergency services throughout the operation."
No vibration will be felt outside of the site boundary, the demolition firm added. "The demolition has been subject to detailed engineering assessment, which confirms that any ground vibration generated will be contained within the controlled site area and remain well below levels that could be felt by the surrounding community." As an additional precaution, vibration monitoring equipment will be deployed during the demolition to verify performance and ensure that all activity remains within established safe limits.
Some dust is expected immediately following the demolition. The demolition has been planned to minimise the spread of dust and ensure it remains "within acceptable limits". Assurances have also been given that there is no risk from asbestos. "The chimney stack has undergone extensive surveys and preparation works ahead of demolition," said Erith. "Any asbestos-containing materials identified within the structure have been removed by licensed asbestos specialists in accordance with strict health, safety, and environmental regulations. The demolition will also be supported by dust-suppression measures and environmental monitoring throughout the operation. Based on the surveys and remediation works completed, there is no expectation of asbestos being released as a result of the chimney stack demolition."
Work has also been carried out to protect local wildlife from the effects of the explosion. Over the last two years, ecological surveys have been done across the site to comply with environmental and wildlife protection requirements. Bird and bat boxes have been installed within the tree line to the east of the site, providing alternative nesting and roosting opportunities. A dedicated peregrine falcon scrape has been installed in the northeast of the site. The peregrine scrape is now actively being used by a breeding pair of peregrine falcons, which the demolition company said showed the success of the ecological improvements made ahead of the tower being blown up.
After demolition, the collapsed material will be assessed and processed, and environmental monitoring will continue at the site. The viewing event is being managed by Fonmon Castle from 8.30am until 11am and is subject to availability.
