THE 70ft of steelwork for Blackburn’s new hotel now towers above the town centre as the £33 million Cathedral Quarter starts to rise from the ground.

It will soon be joined by the framework for the neighbouring office block with work on the base of the new Clergy Court well under way.

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Cathedral Canon Andrew Hindley, overseeing the historic development, said: “This is a fabulously exciting time for the town.”

The two iconic high-rise buildings should be finished in just over a year’s time giving a completely new look to the central area.

They will be joined by the first Clergy Court and Cloister Garden for 600 years and a festival square for events.

A second office block is due for completion 12 months later.

The steelwork for the 60-bed six-storey Premier Inn with ground floor restaurant is now at its full 23 metre height.

Earlier this week the foundations were poured with 268 cubic metres of concrete ferried in by 42 lorries.

On the site for the latest work are a 50ft crane and two of only 23 super-specialist cherry pickers in the UK.

The steel for the office block starts to rise on Monday and then work on the two buildings will run together.

The rapid progress is a boost for Blackburn with Darwen chief executive Harry Catherall who hosts a business breakfast for potential occupants of the office, retail and restaurant space at Ewood Park on October 23.

Canon Hindley said: “Now people can actually see the new Cathedral Quarter rising from the ground.

“It gives them some idea of what the new town centre will actually look like.

Borough regeneration boss Maureen Bateson said: “The steel works for the hotel and the office are now being constructed so people can finally see the buildings starting to take shape.

Railway Road from Bridge Street to the Adelphi pub will close for a week from October 27 for resurfacing work.