Half the size of a football pitch, with towering iron
columns and soaring arches - it's hard to believe all this was hidden behind
derelict Victorian chimneys, empty and unused for over a decade.
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| Park Hill Rervoir |
The Reservoir is perched at the top of High Park Street in
Liverpool, the magnificent structure once provided fresh water for the people
of the city. With the increasing concerns over public health in the mid-19th
Century it was necessary to have a source of clean water and the Toxteth
Reservoir was the answer.
The reservoir was built in 1855 and reportedly held more
than two million gallons of water before becoming disused. Its walls feature a
corner tower, which was part of the mechanism that allowed water to flow into
the reservoir. At one time, the only way to get in or out of the reservoir was
via the roof. Fortunately, a more accessible entrance has since been made.
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| Inside the reservoir - cassimages |
The reservoir was awarded Grade Two listed status in 1975,
now owned by Dingle 2000, the disused reservoir has being marketed to cinema
and television industries as a dramatic backdrop for scenes in films, TV dramas
and soaps. It has already been used by film companies. Now the building is
being looked at by Cass Associates, who
hope to restart plans to turn it into a community centre and boost regeneration
in Toxteth. More recent short-term plans include installing beehives and
polytunnels to grow food for the local area, a solar panel farm has also been
mentioned.
As part of World Heritage month in September 2013 the
reservoir was opened to the public for a limited period of time.
Watch the video below:
Open to the public on Friday 12th September as part of
Toxteth Town Hall's Heritage Open Day (High Park Street, Dingle) between
10.00am to 3.00pm.And it's all free.
Sources
Daily Mail
Yo Liverpool
My Liverpool Forum
Central Library
By Robert F Edwards
By Robert F Edwards
