Carbon-free power for coal miners’ hub

THE historic heart of England’s coal mining industry is set to be powered by the heat of the earth.

An estimated 30 billion tons of coal were extracted from Durham pits during their 200 years in operation.

Now, work is under way to dig beneath the 108-year-old miners’ HQ to provide warmth to the landmark building, nicknamed The Pitman’s Parliament.

More than 8,000ft of boreholes have been sunk beneath the Redhills Durham Miners Hall to tap heat from rocks at a depth of over 426ft.

The system will provide carbon dioxide-free central heating at the heart of industrial coal mining.

Redhills chief executive Nick Malyan said: “It is somewhat poetic that we are installing a carbon-neutral heating system to a building that represents generations of miners.”

Boss of contractor Meldrum Group, Dave Meldrum, added: “The ground source heating brings Redhills roaring into the modern era.”

The site is being developed into a centre for education and heritage and will reopen to the public in autumn next year.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund provided £400,000 to the Durham Miners’ Association for the development of their imposing HQ four years ago.

The red-brick building contains hundreds of photographs and banners, as well as a 300-seat debating chamber.

Its distinctive dome is a landmark familiar to millions who arrive in the city by train.

The Pitman’s Parliament, opened in 1915, was voted among the top 100 irreplaceable places by Historic England. It has attracted tens of thousands of visitors since a campaign to save the Grade II-listed building began six years ago.