Goole MP inspects Salt Pot tower repair works
It was once the largest tower of its kind anywhere in Europe, and provides thousands of residents with their drinking water.
Standing at 150ft, Goole's iconic landmark, the 'Salt Pot' water tower was inspected by local MP Andrew Percy this week, as he inspected and praised the work being carried out by Yorkshire Water for essential maintenance.
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Goole MP Andrew Percy as he visits the town's iconic Salt Pot water tower.
Mr Percy joined Yorkshire Water officials and engineering contractors Stonbury to see for himself how work is progressing on the historic building, which dates from 1926 and was once the largest tower of its kind anywhere in Europe.
His visit included an opportunity to climb the tower and take in a view of Goole that only a very select few - mainly engineers - have been fortunate enough to see.
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Since June, the iconic 150ft water tower, known locally as the 'salt pot' has been encased in scaffolding, as expert engineers carry out vital repairs to address any structural signs of ageing, such as flaking concrete.
Just putting up the scaffolding around the structure was a challenge, with more than a kilometre of metal rails used in its construction over a 16-week period.
Now complete, local engineering specialists Stonbury have begun inspections and concrete repairs to the top of the structure, with the team steadily working their way down.
The project is expected to continue until the end of November.
Simon Roxby, senior asset engineer at Yorkshire Water said: "Back in 1927, this tower was an incredible feat of engineering, taking many men more than a year to construct it.
"Over the last 85 years, not only has this tower done a remarkable job in providing the people of Goole with high quality drinking water, but it has also become a widely recognised symbol of Goole in the process.
"The work we are doing on this iconic water tower will not only ensure that it continues to perform as it should, but it will also help to preserve the tower and ensure it is looking its best for residents and visitors alike."
When the tower was completed in 1927 it was the largest water towers in Europe with a capacity of 3.4 million litres of drinking water. It is now a Grade II-listed building.
Goole's 'pepper pot' tower, which stands adjacent to the 'salt pot' was built in 1885 and is also a grade II-listed building. It is no longer in use.
Mr Percy said: "I never imagined I would be at the top of the salt pot.
"The views on the town and local area were great and it was also good to see the renovation works in progress.
"Along with the much older pepper pot, our water towers really define the town for miles around."
Comments
by DwaynneCarr
Monday, October 01 2012, 8:14AM
“I love Goole and the salt and peper pot make the town , well done Goole for being a fine old town.”
by Kewstu
Friday, September 21 2012, 9:30AM
“@notrequired I think Andrew Percy should abseil the tower as well.
I think once it is completed the Council say they are going to light it up, should look good for the amount of time the council do put lights around it.”
by AlfBates
Thursday, September 20 2012, 8:28PM
“Blimey. This is an interesting story.”
by notrequired
Thursday, September 20 2012, 5:35PM
“A group of RAF [personnel, including my brother ( in his seventies) climbed the tower inside, and abseiled down the outside in March 2005. This was done for their own charities and theydid quite well.”