| Gas
The Reading Gas Light Company was founded in 1818 in Bridge Street near
the coal wharves. At that time all gas used in homes was made from coal.
By 1819 all of the old oil burning lamps in the street had been replaced
by gas lamps which gave much better light. However, by 1830 people were
becoming dissatisfied with the company as prices were rising and the
quality of the gas was becoming poorer. A new gas company, the Reading
Union Gas Company was formed, with its gasworks in Gas Lane. The competition
between the two companies kept the price of gas low but profits were
low as well. In 1862 the two companies joined together into the Reading
Gas Company.
During the time that Reading had two gas companies the pipes of both
companies ran along the streets. It is rumoured that when a house was
asked to be connected to the gas supply, the engineer would connect
it to the other companies pipe rather than his own!
The Gas company soon decided to close the Bridge Street Gas works and
make all their gas at the gasworks in Gas Lane. By 1880, even this site
was becoming too small, and a new gasworks was planned further down
the Kennet. By 1888 this new gasworks was complete, and the older site
sold to Huntley and Palmers.
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