Bickershaw Colliery: Difference between revisions
→Bickershaw super pit: Central Electricity Generating Board |
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By 1907, Bickershaw was part of Moss Hall Collieries Ltd, alongside the pits at Platt Bridge and Abram, which were then purchased by Pearson and Knowles and Company.<ref name=TILCom/> |
By 1907, Bickershaw was part of Moss Hall Collieries Ltd, alongside the pits at Platt Bridge and Abram, which were then purchased by Pearson and Knowles and Company.<ref name=TILCom/> |
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In 1933, a modernisation scheme |
In 1933, the [[Abram Colliery]] closed, resulting in its shafts, the Arley Mine and even the colliery band being taken over by Bickershaw.<ref name=TILCom/> This consolidation resulted in a modernisation scheme to open up the Peacock and Plodder seams, and an additional area of Wigan seam.<ref name=BPlatt/> Nos. 3 and 4 shafts were deepened to {{convert|779|yd|m}} yards and {{convert|787|yd|m}} yards respectively, taking the shaft bottoms just below the Plodder seam. Finally by 1937, a new electric winder was installed on both shafts, with cages to accept ten-ton capacity skips in No.4.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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===National Coal Board=== |
===National Coal Board=== |
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Created by [[Clement Attlee|Clement Attlee's]] post-war [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] government to run nationalised industries, the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act received the [[Royal Assent]] on 12 July 1946, and the [[National Coal Board]] was formally constituted on 15 July, with [[John Hindley, 1st Viscount Hyndley|Lord Hyndley]] as Chairman.<ref>Whitaker's Almanack 1948</ref> The number of companies taken over by the Board was about two hundred, at a cost of £338 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/king-coal-makes-a-comeback-459918.html|title=The Independent|last=McSmith|first=Andy|date=2 August 2007|work=King coal makes a comeback|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref> |
Created by [[Clement Attlee|Clement Attlee's]] post-war [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] government to run nationalised industries, the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act received the [[Royal Assent]] on 12 July 1946, and the [[National Coal Board]] was formally constituted on 15 July, with [[John Hindley, 1st Viscount Hyndley|Lord Hyndley]] as Chairman.<ref>Whitaker's Almanack 1948</ref> The number of companies taken over by the Board was about two hundred, at a cost of £338 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/king-coal-makes-a-comeback-459918.html|title=The Independent|last=McSmith|first=Andy|date=2 August 2007|work=King coal makes a comeback|accessdate=27 March 2010}}</ref> |
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Nationalisation brought about a review of pre-war development plans, which resulted in a further re-organisation of the pits in the area.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
Nationalisation brought about a review of pre-war development plans, which resulted in a further re-organisation of the pits in the area.<ref name=BPlatt/> After abandoning No.5 shaft in 1950,<ref name=TILCom/> in 1951 two horizontal {{convert|16|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|13|ft|m}} high tunnels were started to be driven {{convert|2750|yd|m}} in a southerly direction from the base of No's 3 and 4 shafts. In 1960, these tunnels intersected the Crombouke seam, allowing and two more faces to be opened out for production. An endless rope haulage was installed and {{convert|2576|lbs|ton}} capacity tubs were introduced to take coal to the skip pockets in No.4 shaft bottom.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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After the completion and success of this scheme, two further tunnels of the same size were driven {{convert|1500|yd|m}} west from the same point of origin, gaining access to the White and Black seam in the south western field.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
After the completion and success of this scheme, two further tunnels of the same size were driven {{convert|1500|yd|m}} west from the same point of origin, gaining access to the White and Black seam in the south western field.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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===Bickershaw super pit=== |
===Bickershaw super pit=== |
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In 1973, and early NCB super-pit development was started. Completed in 1976 at a cost of £3million, it linked Bickershaw underground with the neighbouring [[Parsonage Colliery|Parsonage]] and [[Golborne Colliery|Goldborne]] collieries. The projected resulted in a total of {{convert|7|mi|km}} of conveyor belt being installed underground, which consolidated coal extraction to the surface at Bickershaw. A surface based electronic control system managed the flow from three pits faces, and monitored underground conditions. |
In 1973, and early NCB super-pit development was started. Completed in 1976 at a cost of £3million, it linked Bickershaw underground with the neighbouring [[Parsonage Colliery|Parsonage]] and [[Golborne Colliery|Goldborne]] collieries. The projected resulted in a total of {{convert|7|mi|km}} of conveyor belt being installed underground, which consolidated coal extraction to the surface at Bickershaw. A surface based electronic control system managed the flow from three pits faces, and monitored underground conditions.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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Although Parsonage continued to be used for winding men and materials, from 1st January, 1983, the pit became fully integrated with Bickershaw for administration and management. There was also one face in operation in the Peacock seam and one in the Trencherbone, both fully mechanised and equipped with the latest powered supports. The total combined underground colliery workforce at this point was 550 men.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
Although Parsonage continued to be used for winding men and materials, from 1st January, 1983, the pit became fully integrated with Bickershaw for administration and management. There was also one face in operation in the Peacock seam and one in the Trencherbone, both fully mechanised and equipped with the latest powered supports. The total combined underground colliery workforce at this point was 550 men.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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Additional investment on the surface at Bickershaw resulted in the capability to process one million tons of coal annually. With 90% of combined total production going for electricty generation, a £90,000 surface rapid loading system at the Bickershaw [[Coal washing|Coal Preparation plant]] enabled a train of 45 wagons, each capable of holding 30 tons of coal, to be loaded with 1350 tons of coal in less than one and a half hours. These loaded wagons were then dispatched to Bickershaw [[exchange sidings]], and onwards to the [[Central Electricity Generating Board]]. The residual 10% of production was general, industrial and domestic coal, now dispatched via road with use of the canal barges ended.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
Additional investment on the surface at Bickershaw resulted in the capability to process one million tons of coal annually. With 90% of combined total production going for electricty generation, a £90,000 surface rapid loading system at the Bickershaw [[Coal washing|Coal Preparation plant]] enabled a train of 45 wagons, each capable of holding 30 tons of coal, to be loaded with 1350 tons of coal in less than one and a half hours. These loaded wagons were then dispatched to Bickershaw [[exchange sidings]], and onwards to the [[Central Electricity Generating Board]]. The residual 10% of production was general, industrial and domestic coal, now dispatched via road with use of the canal barges ended.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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After the colliery celebrated its centenary in June 1977, with a week of activities and a special open day for visitors, a final development was undertaken, opening up retreat faces in the Haigh/Yard Plodder seams, where the coal was over {{convert|3|m}} thick. |
After the colliery celebrated its centenary in June 1977, with a week of activities and a special open day for visitors, a final development was undertaken. Filling in No.2 shaft,<ref name=TILCom/> allowed the opening up retreat faces in the Haigh/Yard Plodder seams, where the coal was over {{convert|3|m}} thick.<ref name=BPlatt/> |
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===Closure=== |
===Closure=== |
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All onsite shunting and movement between pit head and the [[coal washing]] plant was undertaken by privately owned shunters, the traffic for which greatly increased after the consolidation of coal extraction of the three pits to Bickershaw. Once washed, loaded coal wagons were the mashalled onwards to the [[exchange sidings]] with [[British Railways]] at {{rws|Bickershaw and Abram}}. |
All onsite shunting and movement between pit head and the [[coal washing]] plant was undertaken by privately owned shunters, the traffic for which greatly increased after the consolidation of coal extraction of the three pits to Bickershaw. Once washed, loaded coal wagons were the mashalled onwards to the [[exchange sidings]] with [[British Railways]] at {{rws|Bickershaw and Abram}}. |
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==Accidents== |
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Men from Bickershaw attended the aborted Abram Colliery disaster in 1881, in which 81 men died.<ref name=TILCom/> |
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*'''1847 September:''' a collier and his drawer were descending the Bolton House pit when they were engulfed in flames. 1 killed, 1 injured.<ref name=TILCom/> |
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==Present day== |
==Present day== |
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Revision as of 13:40, 3 January 2011
Bickershaw Colliery was a coal mine, located within the Bickershaw suburb of Abram, then within Lancashire, England, 3 miles (4.8 km) south-southeast of Wigan.
Development
Bickershaw was located right on the northwest corner of the Manchester Coalfield, itself part of the larger Lancashire Coalfield, and required the sinking of deep pits to access the coal. However, access to easy transport via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Plank Lane made the distribution of the product relatively easy.[1]
The first pit sunk at Bickershaw was in 1830 by Turner Ackers. A tramway connected this pit to the canal, which was used for transporting coal until August 1972, when road transport took over loacl distribution.[1]
In 1872 work started on two new shafts closer to Plank Lane besides the canal, numbered 1 (489 yards (447 m)) and 2 (492 yards (450 m)).[2] The seams worked from these two shafts were the Crombouke, Pemberton Five Feet and the White and Black. In 1877 shafts numbered 3 and 4 were sunk (both 690 yards (630 m) in depth),[2] to work the King Coal seam. A 5th pit was completed before World War 1.[1]
Operations
By 1907, Bickershaw was part of Moss Hall Collieries Ltd, alongside the pits at Platt Bridge and Abram, which were then purchased by Pearson and Knowles and Company.[1]
In 1933, the Abram Colliery closed, resulting in its shafts, the Arley Mine and even the colliery band being taken over by Bickershaw.[1] This consolidation resulted in a modernisation scheme to open up the Peacock and Plodder seams, and an additional area of Wigan seam.[2] Nos. 3 and 4 shafts were deepened to 779 yards (712 m) yards and 787 yards (720 m) yards respectively, taking the shaft bottoms just below the Plodder seam. Finally by 1937, a new electric winder was installed on both shafts, with cages to accept ten-ton capacity skips in No.4.[2]
National Coal Board
Created by Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government to run nationalised industries, the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act received the Royal Assent on 12 July 1946, and the National Coal Board was formally constituted on 15 July, with Lord Hyndley as Chairman.[3] The number of companies taken over by the Board was about two hundred, at a cost of £338 million.[4]
Nationalisation brought about a review of pre-war development plans, which resulted in a further re-organisation of the pits in the area.[2] After abandoning No.5 shaft in 1950,[1] in 1951 two horizontal 16 feet (4.9 m) wide by 13 feet (4.0 m) high tunnels were started to be driven 2,750 yards (2,510 m) in a southerly direction from the base of No's 3 and 4 shafts. In 1960, these tunnels intersected the Crombouke seam, allowing and two more faces to be opened out for production. An endless rope haulage was installed and 2,576 pounds (1.150 long tons; 1.288 short tons) capacity tubs were introduced to take coal to the skip pockets in No.4 shaft bottom.[2]
After the completion and success of this scheme, two further tunnels of the same size were driven 1,500 yards (1,400 m) west from the same point of origin, gaining access to the White and Black seam in the south western field.[2]
This increased coal capacity resulted the rope haulage system being replaced by a trunk conveying system in the main horizon tunnel, which has been extended to No.4 pit bottom. A 200 ton capacity surge bunker was installed to avoid delays in the event of stoppage at the shaft.[2]
A further minor re-organisation scheme for efficiency was completed in 1967, which concentrated all production and coal winding in the Nos. 3 and 4 shafts, leaving Nos. 1 and 2 shafts for ventilation purposes.[2]
Bickershaw super pit
In 1973, and early NCB super-pit development was started. Completed in 1976 at a cost of £3million, it linked Bickershaw underground with the neighbouring Parsonage and Goldborne collieries. The projected resulted in a total of 7 miles (11 km) of conveyor belt being installed underground, which consolidated coal extraction to the surface at Bickershaw. A surface based electronic control system managed the flow from three pits faces, and monitored underground conditions.[2]
Although Parsonage continued to be used for winding men and materials, from 1st January, 1983, the pit became fully integrated with Bickershaw for administration and management. There was also one face in operation in the Peacock seam and one in the Trencherbone, both fully mechanised and equipped with the latest powered supports. The total combined underground colliery workforce at this point was 550 men.[2]
Additional investment on the surface at Bickershaw resulted in the capability to process one million tons of coal annually. With 90% of combined total production going for electricty generation, a £90,000 surface rapid loading system at the Bickershaw Coal Preparation plant enabled a train of 45 wagons, each capable of holding 30 tons of coal, to be loaded with 1350 tons of coal in less than one and a half hours. These loaded wagons were then dispatched to Bickershaw exchange sidings, and onwards to the Central Electricity Generating Board. The residual 10% of production was general, industrial and domestic coal, now dispatched via road with use of the canal barges ended.[2]
After the colliery celebrated its centenary in June 1977, with a week of activities and a special open day for visitors, a final development was undertaken. Filling in No.2 shaft,[1] allowed the opening up retreat faces in the Haigh/Yard Plodder seams, where the coal was over 3 metres (9.8 ft) thick.[2]
Closure
After the closure of Golborne Colliery in 1989, the pits production target was set at an increased 20,000 tonnes a week. However, with targets consistently missed, the residual 600 miners were balloted on a move to give Bickershaw a stay of execution, against British Coal submitting a report showing the colliery to be unprofitable.[5] Resultantly, both Bickershaw and Parsonage Collieries finally closed on 13 March, 1992[2]
Transport
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Built in its location for access to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, from 1874 the development of the Wigan Junction Railways with access to Glazebrook and hence onwards via either the Cheshire Lines Committee or later the Great Central Railway, lead to an increase in use of railway traffic. Extensive sidings were developed both onsite and at Kenyon Junction, enabling services to be dispatched to the increasingly important electricty generating station traffic.
All onsite shunting and movement between pit head and the coal washing plant was undertaken by privately owned shunters, the traffic for which greatly increased after the consolidation of coal extraction of the three pits to Bickershaw. Once washed, loaded coal wagons were the mashalled onwards to the exchange sidings with British Railways at Bickershaw and Abram.
Accidents
Men from Bickershaw attended the aborted Abram Colliery disaster in 1881, in which 81 men died.[1]
- 1847 September: a collier and his drawer were descending the Bolton House pit when they were engulfed in flames. 1 killed, 1 injured.[1]
Present day
Managed by English Partnerships, the derelict site became part of the £386.5 million National Coalfields Programme in 1996. In 2005, a discussion was opened with the local community on redeveloping the site as a mixed development to create new jobs, homes, leisure facilities and open space.[6]
Now termed Bickershaw South and presently owned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, in 2007 the site was announced as part of the UK Governments Carbon Challenge initiative to accelerate the building industry’s response to a 2016 target for all new housing to be zero carbon. Resultantly, a 2MW wind turbine is being built on the adjacent Wigan Council-owned, Bickershaw North site, to provide energy for the development. In October 2009, a £12million contract was let to Birse Civils to prepare the site for redevelopment, with outline planing permission for the development of up to 650 homes and 2,750 square metres (29,600 sq ft) of employment space at the 23 hectares (57 acres) site,[7] within a total area redevelopment plan covering some 237 hectares (590 acres).[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Coal Mining in & around Abram". ThisIsLancashire.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Bickershaw Colliery". Bernard Platt. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ Whitaker's Almanack 1948
- ^ McSmith, Andy (2 August 2007). "The Independent". King coal makes a comeback. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ "Storm over Bickershaw". The Coal Mining History Resource Centre. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ "Community invited to view Bickershaw Colliery plans". Northwest Regional Development Authority. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ "Work starts on Bickershaw Colliery site". GreenBuildingPress.co.uk. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ "Bickershaw colliery regeneration plan". BuilderandEngineer.co.uk. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-03.