'We need to save water tower before it's too late'

Campaigners hoping to save a Grade II listed water tower known as the "iron giant" say time is ticking until it becomes too damaged to rescue.

The 55m (180ft) landmark, built in 1928, ceased operation in 2006 but remains a much-loved sight, with residents trying to secure its long-term future amid its deteriorating condition.

But campaigners say owner Yorkshire Water has so far not co-operated with attempts to restore the tower in time for its centenary in 2028.

Yorkshire Water said it was "currently undertaking a specialist structural survey to assess the requirements to maintain the tower to a continued safe standard and the costs associated with this".

Chris Burley, organiser of the campaign, said: "It's got concrete cancer at this moment in time with bits of it falling apart.

"Unless it's repaired, it will fall down so we need to rescue it before it's too late."

When the tower was first built, the art deco and neoclassical concrete structure formed part of a major scheme to provide clean drinking water to surrounding communities, using water sourced from the nearby flooded Pildacre Colliery.

The imposing landmark, capable of holding nearly one million litres of water, has dominated the skyline for decades and holds a special place in the community, with many residents saying that seeing the tower means they know they are home.

Burley, who helped secure the tower's listed status in 2020, said Yorkshire Water had told them it would cost about £1m to repair and restore.

But he said campaigners had been given an independent quote from specialists that was in the region of £300,000 and was optimistic they could cover the costs themselves.

He said the group was working with local councillors and Wakefield Council to find a way forward.

"We want this to be an attraction," he said.

"There's hundreds of people who walk past the tower, it could be a cafe, or somewhere you can provide tours, educational opportunities for schools."

He said: "Money isn't the issue. We've got volunteers and businesses willing to come and help us and we're confident we can get the funding, we just need to get the go-ahead."

Duncan Smith, who is also involved in the campaign, said restoring and protecting the tower was part of the strong sense of pride in the village.

"This means a lot to people. There's 100 years of history in that tower - it even survived the Germans who tried to bomb it during the war.

"We have to do everything in our power to preserve it for generations to come."

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "We understand how important Gawthorpe water tower is as an historic and treasured landmark to the local community.

"Although it's no longer functioning as a water tower, it is still an asset attached to the grid, and as such, subject to our strict health and safety and access regime."

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