This report has been produced in accordance with the brief produced by Montagu Evans LLP on behalf of National Grid and is based upon on-site investigation and documentary research. As specified in the brief, a 'Basic Level 2 survey' was undertaken which was largely photographic and descriptive in nature. The level of recording undertaken in the wider project to record gasworks have previously been agreed with Historic England on a portfolio basis. Oxford Archaeology was commissioned by Montagu Evans LLP on behalf of National Grid to create an Historic Building Record of Gasholder 42 and its ancillary buildings at Dallow Road Gasholder Station to the west of Luton town centre. Gasholder 42, an above-ground spiral-guided gasholder, was constructed on the site in 1960 for the Eastern Gas Board. The nationwide switch to natural gas in the 1970s led to the closure of many gasworks, although gasholders were retained for storage. Gasholder 42 is the only surviving gasholder in Luton which at peak gas production had 10 gasholders, however the Dallow Road site was only ever used for the single gasholder that is the subject of this report. The site is still partially used as a gas facility for Cadent Gas Ltd which did not form part of the survey area, however structures within this area relate to the primary building phase of the gasholder site and so are discussed within this context. This report comprises the results from two phases of recording at the site: an initial phase prior to the start of demolition when only the external shell was visible and a second phase during the dismantling works when the internal structure could be inspected. The spiral-guided gasholder at Luton is broadly similar to many other holders constructed throughout the country, particularly from the 1920s to the 1960s, although there is remarkable variety in the precise form of the holders. Features of note of the Luton holder include the remarkably tall fin-type brackets on the external face of the tank and the fact that the trusses which support the crown all appear to be identical rather than comprising a pattern of alternate 'full' trusses and simpler 'intermediate' trusses at most sites.
Alison d'Turberville (Wed,) studied this question.