Milestone for St James demolition

The main contractor for the £1bn Edinburgh St James project has completed its first year.

And demolition work is expected to be completed in the New Year.

Laing O’Rourke have finished knocking down the former St James Shopping Centre and car parks.

Now, work is continuing at the former Scottish Government building.

Over 19,700 tonnes of material from demolition has been recycled and reused onsite.

This is the equivalent of 13,133 small family cars (1.5 tonnes each) or 164 blue whales (120 tonnes each)

More than 1,300 people have been on site, 1,000 of whom live within 100 miles of the project

And over 260 students from 27 different schools, colleges and universities have been engaged through the project’s curriculum engagement activities and work experience opportunities.