Poole Power Station

Poole Power Station
File:Hamworthy - Ivor Road skyline changes forever (part 1) - geograph.org.uk - 451945.jpg Poole Power Station, days before the demolition of the chimneys
Poole Power Station is located in Dorset Location of Poole Power Station in Dorset
Country	England
Location	Dorset, South West England
Coordinates
Commission date	1950
Decommission date	1998
Thermal power station
Primary fuel	Coal-fired

Poole Power Station was a Coal-fired power station located in Hamworthy, Poole in Dorset. Its 325 ft (100 m) tall twin chimneys were prominent landmarks and it was in fact the tallest building in Dorset until its partial demolition in 1993.

History

The station was constructed between 1946 and 1950, built out of local brick. Before construction could begin, 250,000 tonnes of chalk was imported from a quarry in Sturminster Marshall. To build the power station, millions of three colour bricks were made by Skykes and Sons of Creekmoor and The Upton Brick Works. Construction of the station required the driving of 30–40 ft piles. But, for the onlooker, it was the two 325 ft (100m) tall chimneys that were the most noticeable feature. The station was originally intended to burn coal but an oil fired burner was installed in 1955. In its heyday, the station employed over 400 people.

Demolition

On February 2, 1993, the 325 ft chimneys of the power station were demolished, in front of an audience of approximately 7000 people. In December 1993, eight coal bunkers, containing 1600 tonnes of steel were demolished. However, the main building would not be gone until March 1994, which contained over 14000 tonnes of steel.

The site today

Today, the site is a major brownfield location and pylons still exist on the site. The access road to the Twin Sails Bridge cuts through the site.