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Hands on Learning at National Grid Former Gasworks Site

National Grid has teamed up with Petroc to run several events to bring the classroom alive for local students from Barnstaple. Groups of Petroc students, studying for Diplomas in Construction and the Built Environment (Architecture, Planning, Surveying and Site Management) were able to see first-hand how important their skills will one day become. They were given the rare opportunity to visit Barnstaple’s former gas works where National Grid are currently carrying out a programme of environmental improvement works to prepare the site for a future residential development.

The site was used to make and store gas from the late 19th Century. Since the 1970s, many of the gasworks buildings and the two gasholders have been removed. The site off Barbican Close is one of a number of National Grid sites that are currently being cleaned up, as part of the company’s on-going commitment to improve environmental conditions at former gasworks they own.

Dave Smith, Lecturer for Petroc, said: “National Grid organised a site visit for our students so they could not only see the different construction methods used in the past, but also those that are now being used to clean up the site.  It was really useful for the students and will help them with their studies.”

Anne Marie O’Brien lecturer for The Built Environment said: “Some of our students are neighbours of the site and didn’t appreciate the scale of the work taking place as there had been so little disruption. She added, “A few hours on a site like this can be equivalent to several weeks in the classroom.” Sites of this nature are rare in Barnstaple and North Devon and the opportunity to visit one, to show our students where they could be working in the future is fantastic.”

 Nadia Dew, Commercial Property Manager for National Grid, said “Our site team have extensive knowledge of the construction and engineering industry; we are delighted to be able to help get students out of the classroom and share this knowledge.”