BURY’S £350 million Rock Triangle redevelopment has marked an important milestone.

A branch of a yew tree has been planted into the structure at the top of The Rock as the developers, Thornfield, and main contractor, Laing O’Rourke, celebrated the completion of the main structure of the mixed-use regeneration scheme.

The topping-out event, a ceremony dating back to 1393, involved a yew tree, which is the symbol of protection and good luck.

More than 200 companies have worked on the project so far, contributing to an average of 600 people working on-site every day since building began in May last year.

And more than one million hours have been worked and an average spending of £1 million per week on the construction of the project has brought The Rock to the midway point, on time, within budget and due to open for business this time next year.

The huge development will bring shops, restaurants and 400 apartments to the heart of the town. A state-of-the-art Primary Care Trust centre is already up and running.

The total area of The Rock’s construction site is about. 50,000 sq metres, the size of 40 Olympic swimming pools. The tallest two buildings are 30 metres high, combining residential and retail, including a new Marks and Spencer store.

Peter Warden, director of Thornfield, Leeds, said: “This time next year everyone in Bury will be able to enjoy the new shops, cafes and restaurants and a 10-screen cinema from Vue and 24-lane AMF bowling alley.

“A lot of jobs are being created for locals, as well as providing enhanced facilities for the town.”

Tom Higgins, Laing O’Rourke Construction North commercial director, added: “It’s hard to remember that not much more than a year ago this part of Bury was a flat piece of land.

“Everybody involved in the delivery of this development should each feel as proud as the people of Bury that something is happening here which isn’t necessarily happening elsewhere.”

Mike Kelly, Bury Council’s deputy chief executive, said: “This is a key milestone on the way to transforming Bury town centre and bringing further prosperity to the borough.

“We are delighted this enormous and complex construction programme is proceeding so well, bringing flagship stores, quality apartments, restaurants and facilities to Bury.”