Going, going, gone: Landmark M6 gas holders demolished to make way for 2,000 jobs

Walsall Council gave approval for the removal of the redundant gas holders at James Bridge in September 2014 and work at the 20-acre site on Darlaston Road started in April last year.

Each gas holder was some 12m high and 70m wide, constructed of five walled layers of metal and jointly weighed more than 1,100 tonnes.

Before dismantling could start, National Grid's team of contractors removed debris and millions of gallons of water from inside the structures that had collected during the years they were unused.

Despite the sheer scale of the operation, work has been finished ahead of schedule after National Grid brought the programme forward.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader for Walsall Council, said 'hundreds of jobs' could be created at the site over the coming years.

He said: "This is excellent news.

"National Grid has done a great job in bringing forward this programme.

"They have been a key player in the demolition of the site which is going to bring redundant land back into use.

"The land is ideally situated at the heart of the country's motorway network and is a prime location for redevelopment.

"There is great potential for real investment which will lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs for people who live and who already work in Walsall."

National Grid's former James Bridge gas holder site is located within the Black Country Enterprise Zone and is the second largest zone site within the Darlaston.

It is anticipated that the redevelopment of allocated enterprise zones in Darlaston could ultimately lead to the creation of some 2,000 jobs and 125,000sqm of new floor space.

The James Bridge site is 'at the forefront' of the effort to boost the local economy, according to an Enterprise Zone boss.

Tom Westley, Black Country LEP Board lead for the Enterprise Zone, said: "Economic growth and job creation is our number one priority and sites like James Bridge are at the forefront of this effort.

"Removing the gas holders means another site within our Enterprise Zone will be ready for development, it is vital that this really desirable site is made available, as soon as possible, to satisfy current demand."

Samantha Rendell, land regeneration manager at National Grid, said the dismantling is a great example of the company's commitment to regenerate former industrial land.

She said: "Now the gas holders have been removed the site has moved another step closer towards redevelopment. We're pleased to support Walsall Council and the Black Country LEP's vision for the area and will follow progress at the site with interest."