Last look at historic gas tower
SUMMER DEMOLITION DATE REVEALED
RESIDENTS living in the shadow of a gas tower have taken a close look at the structure before it is demolished in the summer.
The Saxon Street gas holder in Miles Platting will be dismantled by ‘late summer or early autumn,’ the Manchester Evening News understands.
When it is pulled down, it will mark the end of a 131-year-long connection between Miles Platting and the gasometer.
Before its final days, residents have been able to view the structure closeup. National Grid, which owns the structure, that’s not been used to store gas since the early 2000s, organised the visit.
Along with residents, Dr Jenna Ashton, a lecturer in heritage studies at the University of Manchester, got the chance to examine the 30m tall tower, which is 77m in diameter.
“The gasholder is part of the local history of industrial energy production,” she said.
“A lot of the group have fond memories of the gasholder and it has been great to be able to get such a unique view of it.
“National Grid are filming the works for the Manchester Archive and a number of the group were able to contribute to that film today.”
In January, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Dr Jenna said the loss will be ‘disconcerting’ for long-term residents. “It’s a shame,” she said.
“I think for this area it’s seen so much transformation and change – they’re landmarks and there’s a great deal of loss happening which can be disconcerting for people’s health and wellbeing.
“Even if it’s a perception of loss it affects people’s well-being, by disconcerting them. The evidence of a working class neighbourhood has been eradicated.
“The hippodromes have gone and so have the play houses. The gasworks are the last reminder of that.”
That importance is recognised by Nadia Dew, Regeneration Manager at National Grid. She said: “We recognise that gasholders are important to local communities.
“As well as the visits and the film, we’re working on a history booklet of the former Bradford Road Gasworks site, looking at donating parts of the gasholders to local organisations and undertaking heritage recording.
“This will ensure the history of the site is captured for future generations to understand the role gasholders played in our industrial heritage.”