destruction / construction

The Southern end of central Bath is being knocked over and rebuilt for the second time in 40 years. The Southgate centre, finished in the early 70's, was in the optimistic modernist style of the time, and was widely hated by the populace (especially since swathes of Georgian Bath were wiped out in the process). Now the process in being repeated, with the difference that most people believe that the new Southgate centre will be an improvement on the old.

I've been documenting the destruction of the old Southgate since just before the old place, for which I had a sort of nostalgic soft spot, closed and the diggers moved in. This photo is taken from Alexandra Park, which has amazing views of the city and is well worth the uphill trek from the centre. It shows the whole construction site, which is at the stage of archaeological invesitgation at the moment - people are picking through the rubble for signs of the old city. The shining new centre will be ready in 2010 if all goes well.

My Flickr set is here.