Sunderland gas holder bows out of service

An industrial landmark in the heart of Sunderland is being demolished after more than 70 years of loyal service to the city.

Northern Gas Networks’ huge gas holder at Ayres Quay was built in 1936 to supply gas to central Sunderland and over the years it has ensured that the people of the city have had a safe and plentiful supply of gas.

In 2001 the gas holder was mothballed and now engineers, who look after the site, are demolishing the 80 feet tall and 100 feet wide structure.

The next stage in the process will be the cleaning of the site and infilling the area with clean material. It is expected that the work will be completed by early November.

Gas holders are a vital part of the local gas supply system, making sure that there’s enough gas to go around even in the coldest winters. In its peak, the Ayres Quay holder could store half a million cubic feet of gas – enough to supply 6,000 homes for a full day or 14,000 homes for an hour.

There is a second gas holder on the site which remains fully operational and will contain to supply gas to the city for many years to come.

Ian Redshaw of United Utilities, which manages the gas mains system on behalf of Northern Gas Networks, said, “ This gas holder has really served the city well. Over the years we have developed other means of storing the gas Sunderland needs and the holder has been decommissioned for a number of years. Once it is removed we will be able to return its site back to its original condition.”