SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Hi

Can anyone remember when the road layout around the memorial outside the skyrack was changed

It used to be in the middle off the road in a sort it Y junction until the bit outside the church was closed off and became parking.

Cheers

Do you have a rough idea or are you completely in the dark? I certainly remember a pedestrian crossing across to the Oak for as long as I've known the vicinity (getting on for 30 years). This late 60's photo on Leodis http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 211_166089
takes it back further. I can't see how such a crossing could exist with a road between the memorial and church yard however the Octagonal continuation of Kerbstones around the memorial certainly indicate that the road layout was the Y you describe

Not sure when it changed, probably around 30 years ago I would say.

Hers the 1889 map of the area:

My recollection is late 70s early 80s but I can't say for sure.

At a push and taken very early morning or late evening in the Summer, the Leodis image I posted could be early 70s but I am still inclined to believe the Leodis dating of late 60s. The Zebra crossing shown, unless I am missing something fundamental , would have reached the edge of Headingley Lane slap bang in the middle of the road shown in Buffalo Skinner's map. The buildings and the site of the memorial haven't moved. It has to be at least getting on for 50 years since the Y junction disappeared.

Edit: I note the lack of many pedestrians as well as only one vehicle not parked up but it also appears the Oak is open (at least the doors are).

This is a pic from Leodis in 1891

This 1960 picture shows that the crossing doesn't hit the other side at 90 degrees and the 'new' pedestrian crossing has been moved to right outside the oak doors and now goes strait across

Thanks for comments so far, the mystery continues. I may have a vague memory of the zebra crossing. Could be making that up.

Also from the map posted you can see the original line of the skyrack path which is still visible in the paving as that side has been altered as well.