Phase 1 of Castlepoint car park works complete 16 years after centre first opened

The first phase of work to re-build the flawed car park at Castlepoint shopping centre in Bournemouth has just been completed - 16 years after it originally opened.

The upper deck of the multi storey closed just months after it opened, as masonry began to fall onto lower levels.

  • WATCH: The Centre Manager on how they're reducing disruption for customers

  • A crumbling car park

Problems began in May 2005, when masonry fell from the top floor of Castlepoint's car park onto the floors below.

The car park was completely closed for days while safety inspectors studied the building.

Temporary joists remain in place (L) more than a decade after they were installed (R).

The lower decks were eventually declared safe and allowed to reopen.

But temporary props were installed to support the upper floor, many of which remain in place today.

  • What's caused the delay?

Continuing structural problems with the car park have complicated the process of fixing it.

It has also taken years of legal argument to establish who was at fault.

It's not clear who is paying for the rebuild, which is costing millions of pounds.

The building work is expected to completed in 2023.