Iconic structures fall from Sheffield skyline

Demolition work has started to remove the redundant Neepsend gas holder on Parkwood Road in Sheffield. Pictured is Katherine Scargill from the National Grid.

Disused gasholders at Neepsend and Meadowhall were pulled down yesterday (Monday) so that the land can be redeveloped.

Rather than using explosives to dismantle the enormous structures, workmen have been dismantling the metal containers piece-by-piece, using cranes and diggers.

The structures, which have not contained any gas for a number of years, have a capacity of eight million cubic feet and the oldest one was built in 1938.

Work to demolish the gasholders started in August and developers hope that the sites will be fully cleared and ready to develop by Spring 2016.

There are currently no plans for the land.

Katherine Scargill, of National Grid, who own the land, said: “The sites at Meadowhall and Neepsend had 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.”

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.

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