I can smell the place now ! Sometimes when going past the Gas Works on the No.11 bus, the whole place was wreathed in a grey/green smog. Probably from the Retort House. Also folk with a big bag of coke draped over the crossbar of an ancient bike. What an atmosphere !!
That same sweet smell was to be had when waiting for the train at B'head Central, when the Gas Works there was working away.
Ahh. Phenols, tars, bitumen, creosotes, gasses and carcinogens galore. All good stuff!! Bring back the good old days eh?