A PETITION to move the time of the demolition of three towers at Didcot Power Station has already gathered more than 700 signatures.

Christine Reardon, 44, of Meadow Way, Didcot, is gaining support from residents to move the demolition time from between 3am and 5am to 6am, so people can watch the landmark towers blown-up in a controlled explosion.

She launched the petition on Friday and by last night 839 people had joined her call.

Three of the towers, which have been in Didcot for more than 40 years, will be brought down on Sunday, July 27 Miss Reardon said: “There has been huge excitement in Didcot about the towers coming down. Everyone was expecting to see them, so for them to do it in the dark robs us of our chance to say a final goodbye.

“People are going to be watching regardless, this is the biggest thing in Didcot’s history.”

Didcot Mayor Scott Wilgrove said: “I understand peoples’ frustration. I have lived here my whole life and I would like to see them come down.”

Didcot and Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said: “The towers are much loved, and this will literally be a once in a lifetime opportunity to say farewell.

“I have today written to RWE nPower to ask three things: first, to delay the demolition until at least 6am; second, to ensure an accurate time is given, so that people know exactly when to assemble; and third, to work with the local council to ensure that suitable viewing areas are designated for those that wish to watch the demolition, with appropriate traffic management.”

A spokesman for nPower said: “We have not plucked the time out of thin air. We have consulted with the local council, the Health and Safety Executive and the local police.

“This event is an engineering event and needs to be carried out with minimal disruption to the local infrastructure.”

He added while the company understood the concerns of residents, safety was its main priority and changing the time was unlikely.

  • The petition can be signed online at ow.ly/yzLMp




    Our top stories: