Electricity 116

Buildings showing the former Electricity works rnIn 1893 Blackburn Corporation designated land at Jubiless Street Gas Works for the construction of the town's first generating station. Thomas Barton was appointed electrical engineer. Plant included dynamos, Willans engines, Yates and Thom boilers and accumulators, was installed in 1894. electric street lighting was inaugurated during February1895. Further extensions with equipment supplied by Siemens Brothers and Ferranti, were made in 1895-96. Considerable additons were made therafter, particularly following the closure of the gas works in 1900. Between 1895 and 1910 consumers increaded from around 40 to 2,000. including a number of textile mills using electricity to drive prepatory machinery. The tramway undertaking was also a major consumer of supply, and the additions of 1900 were partly designed to meet this requirement. After the constuction of the Blackburn East Station at Whitebirk in 1920-23, Jubilee Street ceased to be used for genarating purposes, although parts of the site were retained as a distribution and sub-station. Considerable evidence of the former electricity works extends along the River Blakwater, Four storey turbine and generator block on Back Darwen Street, now much altered, adjoining is a loading door with cast iron bean reading "19 Electricity works 02" Further block with extensive brick decoration and round-headed windows on George Street, The 1939 adminstrative building is on Jubilee street. rnNow demolished.rnMike Rothwell.