Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    X739
  • Title
    Luton Water Company
  • Date free text
    1845-1972
  • Production date
    From: 1845 To: 1972
  • Admin/biog history
    Luton Water Company convinced that the Water Works were not necessary. In the 29th November 1864 issue a statement from the Board was made, 'That the Board have considered the question of Water Works in all its branches, are of the opinion that such a Works are at present utterly unnecessary for the general wants of the town.' They proposed to construct the Water Works for the town, but a great deal of conflicting opinion prevailed in the town. It was agreed that a local Poll should decide the issue. The Bedfordshire Mercury reported on the 2nd. January 1865 that a Poll was taken of the inhabitants to decide whether the Water Works should be controlled by The Board or a Private Company. The result was a resounding victory for the Company (453 votes to 67). The Company made a number of concessions to the Board before they would give their permission. There was to be a duel access to the sewage wells. Fines were to be made if the Company failed to discontinue pumping if the water level fell below an agreed level. The Company was required to supply water in reasonable quantities for street watering, flushing, sewers etc.. The Board agreed to pay the Company an agreed rate for every ton of water supplied. The Water Company received Royal Assent to an Act of Incorporation on the 26th. May 1865, with an original capital of £20,000. It seems likely that there would have been a further delay if it was not for the sound financial backing from local business, inparticular from Sharples & Co (bankers). The first Stockholders meeting took place at the George Hotel on the 21st. April 1868 under the Chairmanship of Mr. F. Brown. Also in that year the Crescent Road site was purchased from The Midland Railway Company, and the Hart Lane reservoir was also bought. The building work was carried out by Whieldon Lecky & Lucas and was completed in April 1870, supplying 108 premises with water. There were four Share Issues in 1880, 1883, 1888 and 1897, to enable more capital to be available for continued growth. In 1895 attempts were made to induce the Town Council to purchase the Company but were overwhelming rejected. In 1898 negociations between the Company and Luton Rural District Council were made to supply water to the Stopsley area. The main reason for this was a water problem in the area. In the summer of 1898 a water shortage in the Luton Rural District Council area occurred while the Luton Water Co. had a sufficient supply. Two towers were constructed at Hart Hill and Bailey Hill. In 1910 the Company bought the Stopsley Water Undertaking. The Company continued to expand and by the 1960's increasing house and industrial expansion in Luton put an increasing pressure on the water sources. The Company looked further afield to ensure adequate supplies could meet this continued expansion, and became a participant in the River Great Ouse Water Scheme, pumping water, via Sundon, from Grafham Water reservoir. In 1972 the Company amalgamated, to form the Lee Valley Water Company which also includes the areas of Barnet and Harlow. The original Crescent Road site was demolished in 1987 and the following set of records were deposited by the Officers of the Company. David Reeve B.A. 3/12/1987 In addition to these records information on the Luton Water Company can be found in the PD Catalogue, and the QDP Catalogue.
  • Level of description
    fonds
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