National Grid : begins work to remove Sheffield gas holders

Industrial sites set for new lease of life

27 Aug 2015

• Two gas holders to be removed at Meadowhall and one at Neepsend
• Meadowhall gas holder was the largest of its type in the world when it was built

Disused industrial sites in Sheffield could be set for a new lease of life as National Grid takes down three former gasholders across the city.

The gas and electricity network operator is in the early stages of dismantling the structures at Meadowhall and Neepsend. It is hoped that removing the gas holders, which haven't stored gas for a number of years, could clear the way for future regeneration of the sites.

Both sites have a long history in helping supply Sheffield with gas, with the Neepsend gasworks site dating back to 1852. South Yorkshire was granted powers to develop the first gas grid in the country in 1931, ensuring the whole region had a steady supply of gas for the first time.

The ability to heat homes and have hot water on tap meant the project was warmly received, and it was not long before a boost in capacity was needed. As part of this expansion two gasholders were built at Meadowhall.

Visible from the M1 Tinsley Viaduct, the duo were constructed around the same time as their taller former neighbours - the Tinsley Cooling Towers. The first - and largest of the two gasholders - had a capacity of eight million cubic feet and was the largest spiral-guided gasholder in the world when it was first built in 1938. The second gasholder was added at the site soon after to keep up with demand.

Today, improvements in the way gas is stored means gasholders are no longer needed.

National Grid Land Regeneration Manager Katherine Scargill said: "The sites at Meadowhall and Neepsend have a long history in supplying gas to the region, but improvements in how we store gas means gasholders are no longer needed. By regenerating the sites we hope they can be put to a better use for the community in the future.

"Preserving heritage is important to us. We are looking at ways to keep alive the memory of the gasholders and the industrial history they represent."

National Grid is holding two public drop-in sessions for anyone who wants to find out more about the gasholders and how it goes about taking down these large structures.

Join National Grid at Saint Thomas Church, Newman Road, Sheffield, S9 1LP on 22nd September, 3-7pm to talk about the Meadowhall gasholders.

Or The Hillsborough Hotel, 54-58 Langsett Road, Sheffield, S6 2UB on 23rd September, 3-7pm to talk about the Neepsend gasholders.

ENDS

Pictured: the gasholders at Meadowhall and Neepsend