Gas holders set to be dismantled under new plans

TWO gasholders could be dismantled at the former gas works on Ditton Road, Widnes.

The gasholders have been purged of gas, are said to no longer have operational purpose and to maintain them is of significant cost to the National Grid.

If permission is granted to demolish them, the resulting brownfield land can be brought back into beneficial use.

The Ditton Road site is owned by the National Grid and comprises two gasholders, associated buildings and hardstanding.

The area is industrial in use.

Indigo Planning, which submitted the planning application to the council, said the method of dismantling would be con- largely firmed when a contractor was appointed.

However, the company said that the above ground holders would be dismantled, leaving voids where the below ground tanks were located.

The below ground structure will remain in order to retain the stability of the surrounding land.

Indigo estimates that demolishing the gasholders separately, as it aims to, would take approximately four to five months, although the timeframe could be reduced by demolishing the gasholders at the same time.

Indigo added that National Grid would ensure that disturbance to the public is minimised during the period of works, which it is anticipated begin in January 2019.