| Description | Oldham Gas Light and Water Company was established as a private company in 1825. The first works, built in 1827 were on a small site at Greaves Street and were known as the Central Works. Under the Oldham Gas and Water Act of 1853, the town council purchased the undertaking, with additional smaller works at Royton, Shaw, Lees Brook and Hollinwood. The Corporation also acquired two reservoirs at Strinesdale. The Higginshaw works opened in 1871 when the Shaw works were dismantled. The Lees Brooks works were dismantled in 1861 and the Royton works in 1907. The Hollinwood works were alongside the Manchester and Ashton under Lyne Canal but had no railway sidings. In 1880, there was an extension of the local authority limits under the Oldham Improvement Act and in 1886, 1909 and 1925 successive Acts were passed to maintain, alter and improve the supply and quality of the gas in the area. The area of supply included Chadderton, Royton, Crompton, Lees, Springhead, Failsworth and Cross Bank. In 1928 gas manufacture was centralised at Higginshaw though the Hollinwood works remained in production. Greaves Street became a holder station and stores with a showroom added later. Higginshaw was extended by a further 36 acres in 1944 and in 1948 the Hollinwood works ceased to manufacture gas and became a holder station. In 1949 the undertaking became part of the Oldham - Rochdale Group of the NWGB.This collection contains administrative, estate, financial, legal, personnel and technical records. There is a series of technical drawings, accounts and mains sketch books. [1825 - 1949] |