Former bank building in Thurso being made safe in aftermath of partial roof collapse
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Dangerous masonry is being removed from a building in Thurso after huge stone blocks fell from its roof in the early hours of Monday.
A Thurso councillor today said he was relieved that no pedestrians were in the area after the dramatic fall of masonry in the centre of the town.
Tons of sandstone blocks fell from the parapet of the former Clydesdale Bank in Thurso's Traill Street at around 3-4am on Monday.
Police created a safety cordon around the area and restricted pedestrian access to shops and businesses, while the A9 through the town was closed until around 10pm on Monday.
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss paid frequent visits to the site to assess the damage and see how the clean up operation was progressing.
"Councillor Ron Gunn, chair of the Caithness Committee, and myself have been on site for the last two days," he said.
"We've met with Highland Council surveyors who are doing a visual assessment of various buildings and we are glad that most businesses are now able to open. Well done to Sutherland's the chemists for enabling the public to still access the pharmacy via a rear entrance.
"Clearly further assessment is required as to all the implications and, once again, I reiterate our considerable relief that no pedestrian was passing the area at the time that the masonry fell.
"It is expected that scaffolding will be erected as the last of the dangerous masonry will be carefully removed on Thursday."
Traill Street, which forms part of the A9 route, is now open but Manson's Lane, which adjoins it, is currently closed off to pedestrians and vehicles.
