Engineers have begun work on the final phase of the project to decommission the redundant Birkshall Gas Holder in Bradford.

The site made headlines earlier this year when three 85-year-old time capsules containing old copies of the Telegraph and Argus newspaper were discovered during the removal of the main above-ground tank and steel support structure.

Now work has started on the final phase of the project – the backfilling the underground foundation network.

Expert contractors have been brought in to deposit an estimated 50,000 tonnes of imported material in a works programme that is expected to complete in June 2023.

Northern Gas Networks Senior Project Manager Mark Johnson said: “We’ve brought in earth work specialists with over 50 years’ experience within the demolition and construction industry to oversee this important final phase.

“General earth moving within the site compound will operate between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday, however to get this location reinstated as quickly as possible we anticipated around 40 to 50 wagon loads will be required per day.

“I want to assure people living in the area that we’ll do everything we can to keep disruption and disturbance to an absolute minimum whilst this essential work is being carried out.”

The gasworks site was a huge engineering project carried out in the 1930s, which manufactured ‘town gas’ to meet the city’s heating needs, which was then stored inside the three gas holders.

Built by Clayton & Sons, these telescopic constructions were capable of storing 18,000 tonnes of water, which held the gas inside before this was slowly released daily at peak times in line with local energy demand.

Because of advances in technology and the enhanced capability of the modern-day gas network, the three holders had not been used for decades and the decision was taken to remove them and return the land to beneficial use for the local community.

For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

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.