Video: Trouble at t’mill over our neglected industrial heritage

A RELIC from Yorkshire’s mining past has been named among the 10 key industrial sites on the nation’s Heritage at Risk register.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Oct 2011, 10:18 BST

The steam engine, which was first fired up in 1795, is seen as a globally important example of its kind.

It was once used to pump water from South Yorkshire’s collieries, and is now recognised as a scheduled ancient monument.

Efforts are under way to preserve the Newcomen Beam Engine at the Elsecar Heritage Centre, a former industrial site now owned by Barnsley Council.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last month that consultants had instigated a project to help preserve the steam engine.

Council heritage chiefs are hoping that once the £40,000 survey is complete, the Heritage Lottery Fund will provide a grant of £400,000 to restore the engine as an attraction.

English Heritage is also looking to provide about £50,000, with the remainder of the money for the £500,000 restoration due to be provided by the council.