Stocksbridge is synonymous is steel.
The story of Stocksbridge is one intrinsically linked with steel. The steelworks dominate the area and its influence on the once mill town has forged its heritage and identiy. Yet, the lived reality for many residents over the last 40 years has been one of economic struggle, fueled by redundancies, job insecurity, and the steelworks' withdrawl from the community.
This snapshot of Stocksbridge, written by Dawn Witherley and Will Eadson from our Just Transition work package dives into the history of Stocksbridge as a steel-making powerhouse, it's decline from prosperity and what the future may hold.
It is a part of Changing places of work: A place-based approach for re-imagining work in fossil free industrial towns of the future. This research project examines the socio-economic implications of the transition to a low-carbon society on the steel industry in the UK and Sweden.
The project asks:
- What will happen to these places when industrial activities move or change?
- Can such changes be channeled into something positive?
- How can industrial change help communities to thrive in low-carbon economies of the future?
Other snapshots from Sweden which form part of the project are available to read here and will soon be followed by snapshots for Redcar and Scunthorpe in the UK
