Stockport Tower Crane.
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Stockport town centre has hardly changed since the 1960s when the Mersey Way shopping centre was constructed, aside from that the only significent new structures to appear since then have been the Grand Central leisure complex built back in the late 80s early 90s and the Peel centre built around the same time.
With change being very few and far between in the town centre it came as a great welcome to see something new about to be built, the site in question sits directly on the A6 on the site of the old Odeon cinema which was demolished for a public garden some years ago, the site is now to become another office block.
With very little ever happening in Stockport you never see cranes of any description as they just dont build high buildings in the town centre for some reason or at least up until now.
So with news of a new development we didnt really expect much until all of a sudden a crane appears towering above the A6, sadly its no where near the size of the cranes that litter Manchesters skyline but never the less its a good 125 feet in height or there abouts.
Well after seeing this steel beast fully erected the temptation was just too much, this would be the first crane in the town centre for years and had to be climbed.
Our first attempt was originally planned the same day it was completed but a change in the weather deterred us from our ascent, it was now a waiting game.
The second attempt was cancelled due to more pressing engagements, but the third attempt was well....! poetic to say the least.
Not knowing what to expect Alley and myself wandered into the town centre, the weather was perfect, the streets completely deserted and to our surprise no security what so ever on site?
Too good to be true? NO! it was perfect.
Seconds later we where cautiously scaling the crane on the look out for passers by and the Police, after all due to the cranes location you are in full view of all of Stockport.
Thankfully though the streets where desolate, minutes later we arrived at the drivers cab and stood for a moment or two admiring the views, once content with what we had seen it was time to unpack the cameras and start snapping away.
In total we must of been on the crane for a good 30-45 minutes and photographed I think every building in Stockport, well why not? after all the chances of another crane emerging in the next few years are slim to say the least. A most enjoyable evening :-)
Date : July 2008 : Location : Stockport : Explorers : Havoc : Alley
