ELSLACK WATER

[Stanley]

Elslack water.

Whitemoor water works was opened in 1892 and was the first project tackled by the new Local Board. Daily output 150,000 gallons and fed a service reservoir at Park Hill holding 356,400 gallons.

The first water from Elslack was brought in to an enlarged Park Hill Service reservoir in 1919/1922. This was by aqueduct and pipeline from a filter house on Elslack Beck just below the eventual site of the new reservoir at Elslack. It was intended as a supplement to Barnoldswick’s water supply until the main reservoir was constructed. Top level 620 feet.

Elslack reservoir. First contract let out to Hayes (Stockport) Ltd on 29/111/1926. Price was £139,346-8-2. Built as a concrete basin 18” thick in the bottom and 12” thick at the sides, lined with asphalt. Rubble supporting fill under the concrete. Final contract price on completion was £151,696-11-3. The reservoir top head level is 675 feet and capacity 50 million gallons. First overflowed on 18th June 1931. It had been completed in September 1930 but a by the end of the year there was some settlement and a leak. This was made good by February 1931. In late 1931 there was another leak which led to emptying the reservoir and the repair of a crack in the floor. Full again by 23rd October 1931 and officially opened on 5 March 1932.

So, the pipe track through Kayfield would be for the original temporary supply to Park Hill reservoir and would be put in immediately after the Great War. No doubt this pipe was intended to serve the new reservoir when built.

SCG/31 July 2004

[Stanley]

Bumped

[PanBiker]

Park Hill is now due to be replaced. Some friends of ours who live up there have been given notice of the intended works. The plans are threatening their rescue chickens they keep at the back!