Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributer for the North of England, will begin work to decommission its gas holders at Hendon, Sunderland, on Monday 25 February. The project is scheduled for completion on Friday 15 March.

The work involves the safe removal of any remaining gas from the holders, a silent process which will not impact the local community.

For around 100 years gas holders were a vital part of the local gas supply system, responsible for supplying gas to thousands of people across the country.

In more recent years, they were used to bolster the network’s gas supplies during colder weather, and at peak times in the early evenings.

However, advances in technology and the enhanced capability of the modern-day gas network, mean that gas holders are no longer in use.

NGN is undertaking a programme to remove gas from all 47 of its holders. The site at Hendon currently contains the last three live gas holders and this project will mark the completion of the de-commissioning work.

The Hendon gas holders, particularly the framework of Holders No.3 & No. 4 have, become local landmarks over the years.

To commemorate the giant structures, and capture their history for future generations, NGN is encouraging residents and former colleagues to share their memories and photographs of the gas holders and the local area around Commercial Road, in Sunderland.

You can email them to gasholdermemories@northerngas.co.uk, or send via our social media channels, Facebook/northerngasnetworks and @NGNgas.

To learn more about the project, contact the NGN Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.