Crane reaches dizzying heights on London's newest landmark

PA

Britain's highest ever crane is being put in place today on top of what will soon become the tallest building in Western Europe.

The Shard building, which is being built in Southwark, south east London, will tower over the capital at 310 metres high when it's complete - surpassing the current European record holder, Number One Canada Square at Canary Wharf, which measures a mere 235 metres.

View from the top of the Shard/PA

Builders will use the crane to create the spire of the skyscraper, which currently stands at 244 metres high. This will house a further 23 floors.

Sitting on a platform on the 55th floor, the crane is expected to raise 500 tonnes of steel in a total of around 100 lifts.

The first of the steel sections is being raised up the side of the building today.


The Shard, designed by architect Renzo Piano, is due to be completed in the summer of 2012. It will house the five-star Shangri-La hotel as well as exclusive apartments and office space for around 7,000 workers.

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