Campaigners hoping to save a Grade II listed water tower known as the “iron giant” say time is ticking until it becomes too damaged to rescue.
The 55m (180ft) landmark, built in 1928, ceased operation in 2006 but remains a much-loved sight, with residents trying to secure its long-term future amid its deteriorating condition.
But campaigners say owner Yorkshire Water has so far not co-operated with attempts to restore the tower in time for its centenary in 2028.
Yorkshire Water said it was “currently undertaking a specialist structural survey to assess the requirements to maintain the tower to a continued safe standard and the costs associated with this”.
Chris Burley, organiser of the campaign, said: “It’s got concrete cancer at this moment in time with bits of it falling apart.
“Unless it’s repaired, it will fall down so we need to rescue it before it’s too late.”
When the tower was first built, the art deco and neoclassical concrete structure formed part of a major scheme to provide clean drinking water to surrounding communities, using water sourced from the nearby flooded Pildacre Colliery.
