Mechanical Landscapes

#416 – Blackburn Gas Holder

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A few years ago I spent some time living in Blackburn, and my house was a mile or so away from this huge gas holder. To be honest I never really noticed it. I mean, I knew it was there, but it was just part of the local landscape.

I’ve no particular interest in gas holders as such but I spent a day with a friend who has an interest in them, and as we were passing Blackburn, I pulled off the M65 to have a look to see if it was still there. Indeed it was, albeit looking a bit run down and tatty now.

National Grid, who look after the gas delivery infrastructure, are slowly demolishing the nations gasholders as they are no longer needed. Some are listed, so will be preserved, but the majority will be cleared away.

So here’s a photograph for posterity really, as it’s a part of our ever-changing urban landscape that will soon be gone forever.

An interesting article on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30405066

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6 responses to “#416 – Blackburn Gas Holder”

  1. Graham Stephen Avatar
    Graham Stephen

    That is a very interesting BBC article, Andy. I didn’t realise they were all disappearing.

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    1. andy Avatar
      andy

      Neither did I until recently! I know some of the big storage towers like at southport had gone, but it will change our urban landscape forever when they have all gone.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Graham Stephen Avatar
        Graham Stephen

        The only one I tend to see (and that is only very occasionally) is on the Wirral approach to the Kingsway Tunnel. Good that you have captured a record of the Blackburn one.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. andy Avatar
        andy

        I drive past my local ones in Chorley regularly, I suppose I should photograph them quick! Wrong time of year though, as they’re the telescopic ones that disappear from view when there’s little demand for gas, like in summer. Not that we’re having much of a summer……..

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Graham Stephen Avatar
        Graham Stephen

        Well, perhaps you could get some nice silhouetted girders 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  2. #458 – Burnley Gas Holder Demolition | Mechanical Landscapes Avatar
    #458 – Burnley Gas Holder Demolition | Mechanical Landscapes

    […] I know that gas holders were slowly disappearing from our landscape (see my earlier post on the Blackburn gas holder) I didn’t realise this one was due to go until I drove past it on Monday whilst […]

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