Workers are to restart the demolition of a town centre car park to make way for a new £27million library in the heart of Southend.

Cranes are being brought in to demolish the remains of Southend’s Farringdon multi-storey car park, the site of the proposed new library.

Demolition work first began in February, but was halted when part of the scaffolding attached to the building collapsed.

Southend Council’s compliance officer, Stephen Harris, said: “The collapse in February compromised the structure of what was still standing, so for safety reasons we had to change the method of demolition.

“The cranes will be used to lift the concrete beams off the framework and not be destroyed in place and the concrete allowed to fall.”

Companies were asked to bid for the revised work, but the original contractors, Elvanite, of Colchester, are back on site to complete what they started.

The large crane will be able to lift loads of up to 35 tons and, once tested, demolition will start on Monday.

Work, originally planned to end in May, could last until December, but Southend Council insists it will not delay work on the new library building.

The main contractors for building work are expected to be announced in January.

Southend Council will contribute £12.5million of the cost, Essex University £10.4million and South Essex College £4million.

If plans are approved, construction work is expected to begin in February and be finished by the autumn of 2013.

The four-storey building will provide a home for the council’s Focal Point Gallery, a 200-seat lecture theatre for the university and a public cafe.