20/03/2006

Wembley stadium evacuated after roof rafter slips

More than 3,000 workers had to be evacuated from Wembley Stadium today after a rafter dropped from the roof.

According to officials from the GMB union, workers heard an "enormous bang" this morning around 08:30GMT. Multiplex, the construction company which is building the new stadium, confirmed that a rafter in the roof fell 3ft while it was being welded.

Most of the workers were sent home, although some steel workers reportedly remained on site. The GMB union has called for an investigation into the incident.

The deadline for the construction of the new Wembley Stadium has been put back several times. The original handover date was autumn 2005, but this was moved back to January 31, 2006 - and has since changed to March 31.

Earlier this month, it was announced that this year's FA Cup final in May would be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after it emerged that the new £757 million stadium might not be ready on time.

England's two pre-World Cup friendly matches against Hungary and Jamaica, scheduled for late May and early June will now be played at Old Trafford.

It is not yet known what will happen regarding several pop concerts, including Bon Jovi, the Rolling Stones and Take That, which are scheduled to take place at the venue in June.

(KMcA/CL)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 May 2013
Olympic Stadium To Host RWC Games
London's Olympic Stadium will host five games at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Twickenham will host the opening match of the event on 18 September, with England facing the winner of the Oceania qualifying competition.
08 March 2011
The Met Crackdown On Ticket Touts
A weekend crackdown on ticket touts has netted eight arrests as the Met's Operation Podium team targeted two football matches. Four men, aged 23-47, were arrested close to the Emirates stadium in the run up to the match on Saturday. They have since been bailed until dates in April.
29 March 2006
Wembley workers in talks over pay
Contractors involved in the building of the new Wembley Stadium are holding talks following a pay dispute. Steelworkers, scaffolders and welders were told on Tuesday that they would be laid off next week because two subcontractors had not been paid.
28 March 2006
Wembley workers laid off in pay dispute
A number of workers at Wembley Stadium have been told they will be laid off next week due to a contractors' dispute over pay. Around 120 steelworkers, scaffolders and welders are reported to be affected by the dispute. They were told that they would no longer be employed from next Tuesday, because sub-contractors have not been paid.
04 November 2009
Royal Visit For Olympic Park
Her Majesty The Queen visited the Olympic Park yesterday to see the progress being made to create the venues and infrastructure needed for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has helped plant the first of over 4,000 trees that will create the parklands.