 Rochdale, in common with many British municipalities, took over the ownership and provision of a number of utility services.In 1824 the Rochdale Gas Light and Coke Company opened a gasworks at what would later be Dane Street.Following a dispute with the Rochdale Police Commissioners over the price of providing public street lighting, the Commissioners promoted a private act of parliament and acquired the undertaking in 1844, and in 1858 they passed to the borough.