Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 14 April 1933

An Awkward Emergency

The Wombwell Urban Council is naturally worried by the effect not only on the prosperity of the district but on its own gas undertaking which is mainly supplied from the Mitchell Main colliery.

Although the colliery company is under contract to supply until next year, there is presumably nothing in the contract to compel the company to keep open the pit for the purpose of maintaining a supply of crude gas.

A fortnight’s notice to discontinue the supply has been given and the Council may have to resort for a time to its own carbonization plant, a comparatively expensive process the cost of which will be reflected in the price of gas, which has just been reduced in an effort to meet the competition of electricity.

There is in the district an abundant supply of coke-oven gas available for hundreds of Wombwells, but the enforced break with Mitchell Main may cost a pretty penny before new sources can be used. It never rains but it pours.