This image shows the large South Works of the Power-Gas Corporation, which was situated between Bowesfield Lane and Yarm Road. Today this area is Preston Farm Industrial Estate near Makro. It looks like it was built in the 1950’s and survived until after the A66 dual carriageway was built. What a large site to of come and gone with no trace left, apart from an access road off Yarm Road that is now Innovation Ave. This road was truncated by the A66 so an entrance was provided directly off the A66, the remains of which can still be seen next to the east bound carriageway, but there’s no sign of the pedestrian subway that went under the A66. I’m old enough to of been around when it was still standing but too young to notice so this is the first picture I’ve seen.

Details courtesy of Jonathan May.

The view appears to have been from somewhere on the roof of the Cleveland Floor Mill which was erected in the 1880’s. The blocks of houses must have been those between Trafalgar Street and Railway Street on Godfrey’s 1897 ed. OS map of Stockton & Thornaby. In the distance and across the river would appear to be Stockton’s Corporation Quay area, while at about 11 O’clock across the river would be the Malleable Iron Works. The tall chimneys belong to puddling & early blast furnaces;  the smoke just went up the stack untreated. It is no wonder that a major cause of death in the area was chest diseases and infections.

Photograph and details courtesy of Derek Wade