Brockwell gas pressure reducing station

[Blagsta]

Came across this in Brockwell Park today, by the toliets and the BMX track. What is it?

[Blagsta]

No one knows then. How mysterious!

[T & P]

Never noticed it myself. What does it look like? Is it a brick building, a small metal box...?

[Blagsta]

It's a fenced off area by the BMX track and the public toilets. Some technical looking cylinders and valvey things in it. Belongs to a gas company. Presumably it's something to do with gas supply, but I want to know what it does exactly! Apart from reducing gas pressure of course...

[T & P]

I'm surprised it's not underground, or even if it is, that they put a notice declaring what it is.

I guess putting it in open space makes more sense than on a street where any accidents could cause a lot more casualties. I can only presume there are numerous such facilities around town...

[bi0boy]

. bah, dp

[bi0boy]

You get them lots of places, does just what it says on the tin, and not a lot else

http://www.iigas.com/PRS.htm

[lang rabbie]

I think they had to put them in when the country converted from "town gas" made from coke to North Sea "natural gas" in the early 70s, and there was a need to transport gas around the country in a "national grid" of high pressure pipes.

Lambeth Gasworks - from Dore London Pilgrimage 1872 (http://www.old-print.net/A1951870/A1951870944.jpg)

Previously gas wasn't transported long distances - I'm not sure whether Lambeth's gas was still being produced next to the Oval gasholder or more likely somewhere in Southwark off the Surrey Canal Road.

[_pH_]

iirc they convert high pressure gas to domestic pressure, like leccy transformers (robots in disguise) in secondary substations change 11kV to 240v.