 Coal had been mined at Bradford since at least the early 17th century , when the area around the pits was largely rural ; it became increasingly built @-@ up and industrialised as nearby Manchester expanded during the 19th century . Coal was transported from the colliery by canal and railway , but most was consumed locally by the adjacent Bradford Ironworks . In the mid @-@ 20th century a 469 @-@ yard ( 420 m ) underground tunnel was dug to supply coal directly to the Stuart Street Power Station . 
