Overview of the Portslade Gasworks Site

  Overview of the Portslade Gasworks Site

The old gasworks in Portslade, located within Shoreham Harbour (West Sussex, England), operated from around 1870 until its closure in the 1970s due to the shift to natural gas. Built by the Brighton and Hove General Gas Company, it was a major local employer and produced coal gas, which involved burning coal and generating toxic byproducts like tar, oil, and hydrocarbons. The 30-acre site, now owned by Shoreham Port Authority, is heavily contaminated from these historical operations. Pollution issues primarily involve groundwater and soil leaching contaminants into nearby beaches and the sea, especially during low tides. While remediation efforts have been made, incidents persist, affecting water quality and public health. No major new developments or incidents have been widely reported since 2020, based on available sources.

Key Historical and Operational Context

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Establishment and Operations:

The works were constructed in 1870–1871 on the eastern side of the harbour, near Aldrington Basin. Coal was shipped in via colliers (small vessels carrying ~800 tons each), and the plant included gasholders, retorts, and power stations. It employed hundreds, with a weekly wages bill of ~£184 in the early days. A notorious "Portslade Pong" (foul odours from emissions) plagued nearby West Hove residents for decades, carried by prevailing winds.

• Closure: Demolished in 1972 after nationalisation (as part of SEGAS) and the natural gas transition in the 1960s–1970s. The site was targeted by German bombers in WWII, but continued operations.

 Known Pollution Issues

The site's legacy contamination stems from coal gasification, which produced persistent hydrocarbons, tar, and heavy metals that have migrated into soil, groundwater, and marine sediments. Key problems include:

Issue	Description	Timeline/Examples
Tar and Oil Seepage	During low tides, black tarry oil seeps from the site onto Portslade Beach (west of Hove), creating oily slicks and odours. This has closed beaches temporarily and prompted health warnings.	Annual occurrence; notable in September 2019 (beach closure for a day). Port Authority noted it's "too expensive to fix" fully.
Hydrocarbon Contamination in Water	Pollutants enter the sea via groundwater, causing fuel-like smells and poor water quality. Environment Agency (EA) attributes this to the site; swimmers report diesel/petrol odours.	August 2020: Odours on Hove Beach linked to site, though Port Authority disputed direct connection after daily checks. Signs erected advising against bathing.
Marine Life Impact	Mussels near the site accumulate toxins, posing consumption risks.	1999: EA warning issued after tests found high contamination levels.
Broader Environmental Nuisance	Statutory investigations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Part 2A) for contaminated land. No "Significant Possibility of Significant Harm" found in recent assessments, but ongoing monitoring is required.	2020: Brighton & Hove City Council probe into oil releases; confirmed low risk but highlighted historical issues.

Remediation and Management Efforts

• Port Authority Actions: Since 2006, they've monitored the site (e.g., twice-daily beach checks in 2020), installed warning signs, and advised reporting incidents to the EA hotline (0800 807060). In 2020, director Tony Parker received an award for resolving a Portslade Beach oil mystery, though some events (e.g., palm oil spills) were unrelated.
• Regulatory Oversight: EA regulates soil/groundwater; local councils handle nuisance complaints. The site is classified as contaminated land, but not a Superfund equivalent in the UK. Broader calls for stricter rules on former gasworks (e.g., via Gasworks Communities United) include Portslade/Brighton sites, demanding better air quality monitoring and transparency in redevelopments.
• Challenges: Full cleanup is cost-prohibitive due to the site's scale and location. Similar UK cases (e.g., Bawtry Gasworks) highlight liability disputes for historical pollution.

 Current Status (as of 2025)

No recent incidents reported in public sources, suggesting mitigation has stabilised issues. However, the site's history places it under ongoing EA surveillance, especially during tides or storms that could mobilise contaminants. Local swimmers and groups like Brighton Swimming Club continue to voice concerns about cumulative pollution from sewage and industrial legacies. For updates, contact the EA or check Shoreham Port's sustainability reports.