Top Ten Endangered Buildings 2021: Coal Drops, Halifax, Grade II, Architect unknown, 1874

Halifax Coal Drops were built for the Ovenden and Halifax Junction Railway Co. and are an important part of the town’s industrial history. They comprise 15 wooden bunkers built into the hillside supported between stone piers. Trains would stop over the top and unload coal into the bunkers, and local traders would back their horse-drawn carts into the spaces beneath to load their coal for distribution.

Halifax Coal Drops were built for the Ovenden and Halifax Junction Railway Co. and are an important part of the town’s industrial history. They comprise 15 wooden bunkers built into the hillside supported between stone piers. Trains would stop over the top and unload coal into the bunkers, and local traders would back their horse-drawn carts into the spaces beneath to load their coal for distribution.

Their relatively intact internal machinery makes them a rare and large scale survivor. Now owned by Calderdale Council, the Coal Drops have been fenced off to the public for 15 years after a piece of masonry fell from the roof. They are now in a state of serious decline and without urgent attention could soon fall into irreparable ruin. A full structural survey is needed to establish the work necessary to ensure their future.


Griff Rhys Jones said: “Nowadays, we are moving away from fossil fuels, but the Halifax Coal Drops are a reminder of how long fossil fuels have been important to people’s lives and communities...”
“... A new plan for an improved footpath and cycleway, between the town centre, and the nearby Hebble Trail, going directly past the Coal Drops is a great opportunity to restore the coal drops and preserve them as a landmark, to be enjoyed by both locals and visitors...”
“...Funding for an initial structural survey is urgently needed to understand exactly what is needed to save this unique piece of industrial heritage.”


Any donations, however small, to fund the structural survey and subsequent repairs, will be gratefully received. Payment can be made online to Halifax Civic Trust, sort code 20-35-84, account no. 50442445, including reference: "Coal Drops" please. Cheques should be made payable to Halifax Civic Trust and sent to: HCT Treasurer, Marsh Meadows, 31 Marsh Lane, Southowram, Halifax, HX3 9UF.


Photo Credit: David Witcher


Click here to listen to Griff's Talk ‘That's the Way the Money goes’, where he talks about the perils and joys of restoring heritage buildings.

Sign up to our newsletter to get all the latest news on the Top Ten Campaign and the fight to save our Victorian and Edwardian Heritage.

We all wish we could do more to save the historic buildings we care about. Join us and let us do the fighting for you. Without members’ financial support our specialist Conservation Advisers would not be there to make sure local authorities and churches make the right decisions to protect our heritage.


© 2017 The Victorian Society

1 Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT. T 020 8994 1019. E [email protected]

Charity No. 1081435. Company No. 3940996. Registered in England. Office as above.

This website uses cookies. Please see our privacy page for details.