SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

On the 1906 town centre map there's a ginnel that runs diagonally from the back of the drill hall on Clay Pit Lane to Columba street/Wade lane, roughly where Tower House is on Merrion Way. It's gone for many years now, cleared with brunswick Terrace but the diagonal building line at the top end by the Yorkshire Bank and the old poly building can still be seen on google, for now.

If the ginnel was ever designated a public footpath, then it is possible to claim it back as such, provided that it has not been lawfully extinguished.A lot of work involved.The Ramblers org. are the experts at this.    

Was this not Wade Passage? YOu can see it on Leodis there are a few pic of it I think. A very old part of Leeds with its Georgian housing (until it was knocked in the 50's) with such streets as Rockingham Street, Brunswick Terrace, Cobourg Street (now Merrion Way) etc. Not sure of the German connection with all the street names in the area but maybe it was something to do with George I, especially as there is Hanover Sq not too far away...If someone can post an old map you can see how it snakes through the streets as Brunel describes.

The ginnel doesn't so much snake it's way, as cuts through arrow-straight! Even the lines of Queen's Place and Cobourg Street are kinked to accomodate it.You're right about the German names, Lee. George I was previously Elector of Hanover (hence Hanoverians - George I to Victoria.) It's surprising that so many still exist - many German names were altered during the First World War, eg: Harrogate's Kursaal Hall became the Royal Hall, and all German Shepherds became Alsatians!    

(' German Shepherds became Alsatians! ' Bad news for sheep)

chameleon wrote: (' German Shepherds became Alsatians! ' Bad news for sheep)

sorry - it had to be said - maybe better me than Arry's likely take on it!!

There was a Jerry Street in the Park Lane/Westgaste area. That got changed.I think resurecting the right of way would be too much of a challenge even for SL. Now the Brunswick Terrace Building has gone the only reminder now is a funny angled wall at the back of the Yorkshire Bank

Aerial photo of it during 1960's clearance:http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

LS1 wrote: Was this not Wade Passage? YOu can see it on Leodis there are a few pic of it I think. Cheers Lee, it was Wade Passage. A lone car waits outside the chippy. This Leodis pic shows the ginnel crossing Cobourg Street...