NEHL - The Prudhoe Main Colliery commenced operations around the early 19th century, however ceased before the 1890s. The James Pit is visible on the 1850s maps as a small working just north of Park Wood. Once this pit closed, West Wylam Colliery was constructed and sunk, consuming the older pit and utilising part of the waggonway which led to James Pit.

Operations continued into the 1960s. There were two lines of coke ovens and an extensive internal railway network. It also connected with the ICI complex after the 1940s.

Some of the site has been reclaimed, though much of it is a retail park.