Car owners parking beneath an iconic London skyscraper, dubbed ‘the walkie talkie’, are claiming that the all glass building is causing their vehicles to melt.
The astonishing claim has been made by city workers parking beneath the building on Fenchurch Street and they say it’s causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to high-spec cars.
Parking beneath the building has now been suspended after it emerged that light reflected from the all glass building was intensely heating the car park below causing vehicles to melt.
‘Victims’ of the building’s reflective misdemeanours include Martin Lindsay, the Director of a tiling firm, who said that: “I was absolutely astonished to find that on particular parts of my Jaguar the paint work was bubbling. The car has also been left warped after parking my pride and joy beneath the 37 storey facility.â€
He added: “They’re going to have to do something about it. I’m gutted. How can they let this continue?â€
Other ‘victims’ claimed that possessions left in vehicles had also suffered as a result of the intense heat. One person said that a drinks bottle had started to melt in his van when he pulled up and parked beneath the 525ft high building.
Cyclists have also been impacted by the ‘fiery temperament’ of the building, with claims that bicycle seats have suffered damage as a result of the intense heat.
Seeing the funny side of the situation a number of those who have suffered have re-named the building the ‘walkie scorchie’.
Even pedestrians and passers-by have experienced the intense heat and brightness of the building’s glare, claiming that they constantly have to shield their eyes; such is the intensity of the glare.
Others who have commented on the situation have likened standing beneath the building, particularly at high noon, as ‘like trying to scorch ants with a magnifying glass.’
The developers of the building at 20 Fenchurch Street, Land Securities and Canary Wharf, stated that they are examining reports of intense glare from the building.
In a statement issued by the developers they said: “We are aware of concerns regarding the light reflecting from 20 Fenchurch Street and are looking into the matter. As a precautionary measure, the City of London has agreed to suspend three parking bays in the area which may be affected while we investigate the situation further.â€
Ironically, the building is not even in use yet and is not due to open until 2014, but has already caused misery for motorists.
The building is said to be ‘state-of-the-art’, boasting concave northern and southern sides, whilst the eastern and western sides are convex. The building also features wider upper floors, creating the illusion that the building is bursting into the London skyline.
