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Blackpool's iconic tower wins heritage accolade

Xinhua, February 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Blackpool Tower, one of the most iconic structures in Britain, has won a heritage award, the Institution of Civil Engineers announced Saturday.

Visible on a clear day from Wales and the English Lake District, the 158 meter high tower opened in 1894, inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Although it is has the highest, Grade One Listing from Historic England, the accolade from ICE is its first official recognition for its importance as a work of engineering.

In its citation for its newly introduced heritage awards, ICE said Blackpool Tower was "possibly the most instantly recognisable work of civil engineering in Britain".

Darrell Matthews, director of ICE in Britain's North West region described the tower's nomination as really interesting because civil engineering was usually associated with more practical structures such railways and bridges. But the tower, on the northern England coast of the Irish Sea was, he said "all about having fun".

"There's no doubting the engineering skill that went into designing and building it, so it's a very worthy winner. The Blackpool Tower is possibly the most instantly recognisable work of civil engineering in the UK," said Matthews.

Chris Hudson from ICE's Lancashire branch described Blackpool Tower as a monument to civil engineering genius.

Every year hundreds of thousands of people ascend the top of the tower - in elevators - many daring to walk on a glass skywalk, staring down onto the ground below. The glass, 5 centimeters thick, can withstand the weight of two elephants.

The tower rises above a Victorian complex that houses one of the world's most stunning dance floors, the ornate Tower Ballroom. The building also accommodates a circus and a range of other family attractions, including a 4D cinema.

The tower is illuminated at night with 10,000 bulbs during the resorts annual light festival, Blackpool Illuminations, when the entire 10 kilometers of seafront is spectacularly lit up.

Blackpool retains its crown as Britain's busiest seaside destination, with more than 10 million visitors heading to the resort last year. Endit