Expected date historic gas tower is demolished set as residents get close-up look

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Residents living in the shadow of a Miles Platting gas tower have taken a close look at the structure before it is demolished in the summer.

The Saxon Street gas holder will be dismantled by ‘late summer or early autumn’, the Manchester Evening News understands. When it is pulled down, it will mark the end of a 131-year-long connection between Miles Platting and the gasometer.

Before its final days, residents have been able to view the structure close-up. National Grid, which owns the structure, that’s not been used to store gas since the early 2000s, organised the visit. READ MORE: Huge plan for 250 flats and shops in massive tower on Manchester-Salford border Along with residents, Dr Jenna Ashton, a lecturer in heritage studies at the University of Manchester, got the chance to examine the 30m tall tower, which is 77m in diameter. “The gasholder is part of the local history of industrial energy production,” she said. “A lot of the group have fond memories of the gasholder and it has been great to be able to get such a unique view of it.

National Grid are filming the works for the Manchester Archive and a number of the group were able to contribute to that film today.” In January, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Dr Jenna said the loss will be 'disconcerting' for long-term residents. “It’s a shame," she said. "I think for this area it’s seen so much transformation and change — they’re landmarks and there’s a great deal of loss happening which can be disconcerting for people’s health and well-being. "Even if it’s a perception of loss it affects people’s well-being, by disconcerting them.