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Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 11:02 am
by Cardiarms
Was wandering around last Saturday an noticed that the metal street furniture around Lands Lane and Commercial Street has finally gone. I do not mourn the passing of these 'features' brown granite, grey metal and frilly purple bits. The sandstone setts, minimalist planters and new stone benches make the place look more spacious and smarter. You can even see the buildings. A step forward after a step back. Though I'm sure in years to come a Secret Leedser will be posting photos of a bollard or plinth that survived.
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 11:11 am
by Cardiarms
Remember when someone thought it was a good idea to fill the street with all this clutter:
http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 4_22787112
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 12:41 pm
by Si
Yes, it's hideous, isn't it? I remember when they laid that multi-coloured paving. If it was raining and you were wearing leather-soled shoes, all those setts were lethally slippery, except the smaller red granite ones which snake along the street. You felt like a loony walking along them, dodging the steel columns, and had to walk 150 yards to get 100 yards.
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 1:49 pm
by LS1
The new Yorkshire stone stuff is good, but it gets really really filthy very quickly,
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 2:27 pm
by chameleon
LS1 wrote: The new Yorkshire stone stuff is good, but it gets really really filthy very quickly, The former 'Vision for Leeds' of the 70's was the dream of a former local Councilor who won the name of Tricky Dickie. I think there were more accidents with those smooth pavious when wet than any where else - you were lucky to stand up straight after a few drops of rain!It certainly didn't stand up to wear and tear either - perhaps the best thing to come of all that was the uncovering of so many old cellars under the roads.
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 4:42 pm
by Cardiarms
Wasn't there som lighting installed in the pavement following the curves of the tiles? I seem to remember it failing in the first winter after installation and eventually being dug out and replaced by little mosaic tiles.
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 5:31 pm
by Reginal Perrin
The old flooring was so slippeery I could not wear leather soled shoes to work in case it rained.
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 7:04 pm
by chameleon
Cardiarms wrote: Wasn't there som lighting installed in the pavement following the curves of the tiles? I seem to remember it failing in the first winter after installation and eventually being dug out and replaced by little mosaic tiles. The illuminated walkway so you could find your way round the now removed furniture!Yes, nice adea but like the rest of the works in the scheme - stopped as soon as it started.I'd better add that the old fountain was marvelous, well made, stood the test of time in all its guises couldn't be better, all down to the joinery when constructed, Phill.
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 10:14 pm
by sirjohn
where on earth was the old fountain?
Posted: Thu 16 Jul, 2009 10:22 pm
by chameleon
sirjohn wrote: where on earth was the old fountain? What until recently was a raiesd seating area outside WH Smith was originally - a water feature comprising a pool and fountain, often in its day, trated to a dose of washing-up liquid or similar resulting in the area being covered in foaming suds!You can just see it on here:
http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 1_78847903