Description and History of Site:-
A transformer/sub-station still occupies the site, the power station itself no longer exists. Although the generating station on Bolton Road only operated for about 8 years it was of considerable significance, being the first built by a municipal authority in Britain to provide an electricity supply service. While there were earlier schemes elsewhere, all were (initially at least) private undertakings. Bradford Corporation were granted a provisional order under the Electric Lighting Act in 1883, but there followed several years of planning and, sometimes heated, discussion before the scheme progressed. Initially, electricity was only supplied from an hour before sunset until 11 p.m. Later the service was extended to begin at 10 a.m. and eventually to 24 hours. The generating capacity of the station was progressively increased in 1890 and 1892. As the load increased, it was decided to increase the voltage of the distribution network, first to 230V on a three wire system and then to 460V. In the closing years of the 19th century it was realised that the increasing demand for electricity supply could only be satisfied by the construction of an entirely new generating station. The foundation stone of the new Valley Road Power Station was laid on June 5th 1896. At that time the Bolton Road arrangements included seven large boilers, seven engines with over 2,100 horse power and 25 miles of cables supplying 402 customers within the supply area of one square mile.

The original construction was described in 'The Engineer', October 4th 1889:

"This electric installation, which was inaugurated on the 28th September, 1889, is on the principle known as the continuous current system, and it is intended for the supply of lighting, motive power, storage, and for other purposes. It is proposed, in the first instance, to supply that portion of the centre of the town which comprises Market Street, Kirkgate, and the streets in the immediate vicinity thereof. The mains, lead encased, and with suitable outer protection, are laid underground in all the above streets. The cables are placed directly in the earth, generally under the causeways or pavement, and where crossing the streets a flag-topped brick culvert protects the cables from the heavy traffic. The central station is situated at Bolton Road, a short distance outside the district of supply. The buildings, when fully completed, will be capable of containing considerably more generating plant than is at present placed there. The present generating plant consists of three Lancashire mild steel boilers, 28ft. by 7ft., of 180 horse power each; three steam engines, of the inverted vertical type, of 150 horse power each, and working at 120 lb. steam pressure, two of these engines being made by Willans and Robinson, of Thames Ditton, the third one being by Marshall, Sons, and Co., of Gainsborough. Each of these engines is coupled to and drives direct a Siemens dynamo, capable of developing 128 electrical horse-power - 90 kilowatts. Each of these dynamos delivers its current to a conductor common to the three, whence it is supplied to the various feeding mains. These feeding mains, at present four in number, deliver the current at their outer extremity to four feeding centres situated at different points in the town, suitable controlling apparatus being placed at the central station to insure a uniform electrical pressure of delivery at the feeding centres. From these various feeding centres extends a network of distributing cables connecting together the various streets and the several feeding centres. To these distributing mains the houses are directly connected. About ten miles of cable are comprised in these feeding and distributing mains, exclusive of the connections to the various houses. A number of street boxes and other forms of junctions assist in forming the branches in the several streets and help to complete this system of distribution." ... "In consequence of the proximity of the district of supply to the generating station, the current is supplied at present direct at the low pressure at which the houses are required to be supplied by the Board of Trade. But later on, as more distant districts have to be supplied, the feeding mains, or carriers, will be put upon high pressure, arrangements being made in the laying of the mains to enable this to be done. The buildings have been constructed by Mr. Wm. Johnson, of Bradford; the boilers by Messrs. Holdsworth and Sons, also of Bradford ; while the entire of the electric plant, including dynamos, cables, electric instruments and appliances of all kinds for the regulation of the current, have been constructed and laid by Messrs. Siemens Brothers and Co. of London. The installation has been designed for the Corporation, and superintended during erection, by their electrical engineer Mr. James H. Shoolbred, M lnst. C.E., of Westminster."

Further Reading and References:-
Parsons, R H. The early days of the power station industry. CUP, 1940.
The Leeds Mercury, 6th June 1896.

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Key Words :- electricity power station

Address :- Bolton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 4DR
Grid Ref :- SE 1666 3347
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.797273 , Long -1.748557
Local Authority :- City of Bradford
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site demolished or no longer extant
Site Condition :- Site redeveloped to industrial / commercial use
Site Dates :- 1889 - c1900
Record Date :- 23 April 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Nick Nelson