Gas Lane runs along the bottom and just above it are the remains of the gasworks. Opened in 1836, this was a typical Victorian piece of private enterprise - a public meeting was held at which the scheme outlined and shares were offered which were enthusiastically taken up. It was a great success and lead to the Coggeshall streets being lit for the first time to the amazement of the locals. Three circular brick pits can be seen, one at least still containing water where the gas-holders used to float, held up by the gas inside and sealed by the water beneath. Nearby, the broken ground marks the building where the gas was made, the retort house, together with the ancillary buildings and the chimney., all demolished. When the great earthquake hit, the chimney rocked two feet to either side before returning, aparently undamaged. A main gas pipe was fractured but the works manager was on hand and it was quickly repaired. The works closed when production was transferred to Kelvedon Gasworks which was near the railway and so much easier to supply with coal.
Also in: Air 1925
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