'Fall-risk' Birmingham construction crane stabilised

Police said there were fears the crane might come away from its foundations

A 54m (177ft) crane at risk of falling over in Birmingham city centre has been partially dismantled and stabilised.

Police were called to a construction site near Moor Street railway station on Thursday after fears the crane might be coming away from its foundations.

The area was evacuated and Park Street has been closed to remove the crane.

Galliford Try construction firm has apologised for the disruption. It said it took health and safety seriously and was removing the crane as a precaution.

Area evacuated

The crane was being used to build a nine-storey hotel for Hotel La Tour.

West Midlands Police said a routine check by the firm had identified a potential problem with the crane's concrete foundations at about 1120 BST.

"For a time, there were concerns that the crane, with a 40m (131ft) long arm, could collapse should the wind reach high speeds and the foundations fail," the force said.

The site was evacuated, no-one was hurt and the station and nearby shopping centres remained opened throughout the day.