Site Record

Pontypool appear to have been first lit by gas in 1841 as described in the following article “PONTYPOOL GAS LIGHTs. -The inhabitants of Pontypool have been supplied with lights in their dwellings of the most brilliant and the purest description, which have afforded general satisfaction. The speculation, however, has not sufficiently remunerated the spirited proprietor, Mr. Thomas Price, who has, at a heavy expense, laid down new pipes, and extended them beyond the limits of the town, in every direction. It is now, we understand, in contemplation, at the next general Meeting of the Board of Police, to propose a rate for the purpose of lighting the town. The carrying such a desirable object into effect is universally approved of by all those who prefer light to darkness” (Monmouthshire Merlin 16th October 1841). This suggests that at first there was no street lighting. An amended bill was passed to form the “The Pontypool Gas Light and Coke Company” in May 1850. In 1870 Mrs Lavinia Price was recorded as the propriertress of Pontypool gasworks. In 1817 the Pontypool Local Board considered purchasing the Pontypool gasworks but did not proceed with the purchase. The annual gas production about 8 million cu.ft. in 1871. On 20-9-1871 a General Meeting of the Trevethin Water Works Co. was held at Pontypool Town Hall. The Proprietors agreed to purchase the gas works. In 1873 the Pontypool Gas & Water Co. Ltd. was formed by a Special Act which renamed the Trevethin Water Works Company thus. The new Company purchased the gas works from Mrs. Lavinia Price for £11,000. In 1883 The Pontypool Gas and Water Company, had authorised capital of £40,000, produced 14m cu.ft. of 14 cp gas from 1555 tons of coal. Mr Andrew Hair was the Manager & Secretary (The Cardiff Times 20th January 1883). In 1902 the Company considered using the methane, which was venting near Old Furnace, Pontypool. The annual gas production in 1914 was 48.6m cu.ft. from 4,550 tons of coal. 14cp, benzole enricher used. Mr T. H. Deakin JP was the chairman and T. B. Pearson the manager & secretary. In 1921 Pontypool purchased the Abersychan Gas Company under a Special Order dated 10th August 1921, which allowed the authorised capital to be increased. An 8" welded steel main delivered coke oven gas to Clarence Street (and to Abersychan) from the Blaenavon Companies coke ovens in 1935. Gas production ceased at both Pontypool and Abersychan, late in that year. The Cwmbran Gas Company agreed on 10th January 1936 to sell their business to Pontypool. The necessary BoT Special Order was issued on 19th November. Negotiations with the Blaenavon Gas Company were reopened and a provisional agreement to sell was signed on 17th April 1936. Negotiations in hand to purchase the Usk Gas Company as well. In 1940 gas production at Pontypool was resumed due to added demand, with an CWG plant installed. In the 1940’s the Cwmbran Gas Works was converted to supply hydrogen for the Balloon Barrage, at the request of the Air Ministry. In 1943, various meetings with the Ministry of Fuel & Power led to a Special Works Order authorising a completely new gas works on a new site at Panteg. A bulk supply to the Abercarn UDC began in September 1946, bulk supplies were also given to the Brynmawr & Blaina undertaking ex-Coke Ovens at Blaenavon in the 1940’s as well. In 1949 the gasworks 1949 had an area 8,900 sq. yds. and a capacity 1m cu.ft./day "in reserve" after the opening of the new Panteg gasworks. The gasworks were Vested in the Wales Gas Board from the Pontypool Gas and Water Company. Company records are held in the Gwent Archives. The gasworks were visible on the 1881 to 1993 OS maps.