Work to remove disused gasholders in Rochdale completed

The Rochdale gasholder taken down by National Grid

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Work to take down disused gasholders at a site in Rochdale has been completed by National Grid. The towering structures once dominated the town’s skyline, but advancements in technology mean they were no longer needed and had not been used since 2013.

National Grid has been working at the Church Street site since 2014, dismantling the gasholders piece by piece. The site has been cleared as part of a national programme to breathe new life into redundant sites, although a future use for the land has yet to be decided.

Opened in 1824, the Rochdale Gasworks – which once stood at the site – delivered a vital gas supply to Rochdale and the surrounding area, and was instrumental in bringing the first ever street lights to the town. The gasholders, two of which were built following the war to cope with increased demand, helped maintain a stable source of energy for local homes and businesses.

The engineering challenge to remove steel and infrastructure from the site was carried out considerately, with National Grid keeping nearby businesses and residents updated throughout the work and hosting community drop-in sessions.

The company has donated a manufacturer plaque to Fakenham museum of gas and local history, which offers a glimpse at the lives of the one million people who worked in the gas industry between 1800 and 1970.

National Grid has also been able to make its mark on the local community, employing local residents; donating manufacturer’s plaques to Rochdale’s Touchstones Museum and the Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society Ltd; and funding a valuable English language class for Pakistani woman in the area. The donation of over £3,000 means the classes at Sparth Community Centre will continue for another year, helping local women learn essential communication skills that will improve their lives.

Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society Ltd aims to promote and assist the expansion of knowledge of the local area. They hold regular meetings which are open to all and they welcomed some of the team that worked on the Rochdale site along to their last meeting.

Bernard Pratt, a spokesman for Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society Ltd, said: "The Gas Holders were iconic structures in the Landscape of Rochdale, indicative of the Town's foresight and technological developments. As such, we were pleased to welcome National Grid to our meeting to hear all about the works and receive the manufacturer’s plaque donation, which will proudly be on show for years to come for visitors to see.”

Land Regeneration Manager, Samantha Rendell, said: “The gasholders hadn’t been used for years and by taking them down we’ve been able to free-up the industrial site for future regeneration. We’d like to thank all those living and working in the area for their patience and understanding while we were on site.

“We’ve been particularly proud to leave a lasting legacy of our work here in Rochdale. The maker’s plates from the gasholders will be preserved at local museums to tell the story of the town’s energy past to future generations. We were also delighted to support the Sparth English classes. The skills the women will learn will transform their lives, and we’re pleased to have been able to make that happen.

“It’s all part of being a considerate business and involving the communities in which we work. Our team on site has worked safely and efficiently while dismantling the structures, with as little disruption to our neighbours as possible.”