SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The following is extracted from John Mayhall’s 'Annals of Yorkshire' volume II, pages 334-336. I hope it is of interest. There is much more in the report but what I have extracted may hopefully not be too long to maintain interest! “In autumn, 1863, the North-Eastern Railway Company proposed to ask Parliament to give them powers to make a line of railway from near Marsh Lane Station, on the Leeds and Selby line, across York Street, Kirkgate, Briggate, Albion Street, and Park Row, into a site, embracing that of the present Leeds General Infirmary, on which they proposed to erect a large central passenger station, which would have been on the north side of both Wellington Street and the river Aire. That scheme, as it cut through some of the most valuable property in the centre of the town, was strongly opposed by many of the influential inhabitants, and, after much discussion, the directors of the company withdrew it…At that time a route leading from near the Marsh Lane Station and taking a portion of the line projected by the railway company, but crossing Briggate much lower down and intersecting property of much less value than the company’s proposal, and terminating at a site for a central station on the south side of the river Aire, and near to the present Wellington Station of the Midland Railway Company, was brought before the public by Mr. Joseph Fallowfield Masser, lithographer, of Leeds. This scheme…received the approval of the directors of the North-Eastern Railway Company, who adopted it, with some modifications, as the scheme to which they would ask the approval of Parliament in the ensuing session…The following is a brief outline of the course which the line is proposed to take:- The combined station ground will take up the entire block of buildings, beginning at Nussey’s Buildings on the south side of Aire Street, covering up nearly the whole of the river Aire, to a point beyond the Britannia Mills. Then stretching across to the north-east corner of the Globe Foundry. Then in a line to a point near Messrs. Wood’s tobacco manufactory, Neville Street, continuing on to the Mill Stone Inn, Swinegate, coming up to Messrs. Briscall’s warehouse, on the south-west side, across the weir at Mill-goit to School Close Bridge. Then with a curve to the centre of Bishopgate Street, opposite the Scarbro’ Hotel projecting corner, where a carriage entrance will be made to the north-eastern portion of the combined station, with a large area for cab stand and drive round the Queen Hotel, (which, when extended, will be entirely detached,) with a line of booking-offices, arranged in a crescent shape, extending for about 150 yards, with a north-east frontage”.

Building the railway across the site of the Mill Stone Inn must have taken place sometime between August 1874 and 1876. When the pub’s license came up for it’s two-yearly renewal [in August of 1876] the Licensing Register notes “House pulled down for railway extension”.

liits wrote: Building the railway across the site of the Mill Stone Inn must have taken place sometime between August 1874 and 1876. When the pub’s license came up for it’s two-yearly renewal [in August of 1876] the Licensing Register notes “House pulled down for railway extension”. Thanks liits for that interesting snippet.Regarding the news extract in my post, one thing that I was not aware of was that the original proposal was to build the station where the Leeds General Infirmary then was (on Infirmary Street). The centre of Leeds would look much different if that plan had gone ahead.

Interestingly the original 1840s proposal for Leeds Central Station was to have been on more or less the same site, but with access from the west, rather than from the east as in the later proposal you have drawn our attention to.

jim wrote: Interestingly the original 1840s proposal for Leeds Central Station was to have been on more or less the same site, but with access from the west, rather than from the east as in the later proposal you have drawn our attention to. Thanks for that jim. If that or the initial proposal for the new station had gone through then there would presumably today be no structures such as the Dark Arches. We will never know what the centre of Leeds might have looked like now!

I wonder if Hunslet and Beeston would have felt quite as cut off from the centre of town as they do with having river and railway embankment in the way. The line would have passed between the main markets and the Corn Exchange so they'd have been very different as well.A while back I nipped down to the loo in the basement of Layne's Espresso and it surprised me how much space there was down there. I can't remember but I think there was also an emergency exit that opened towards Mill Hill. I've also seen photos of the place that was a noodle bar and which is being developed into a bar called Friends of Ham. The basements on that row of shops must go under New Station St itself.

funny I find this as I've just purchased an "Annals of Leeds" printed in 1860 and written by the said same John Mayhall .. exploring from the date of the most remote authentic histories down to the close of the year in 1859 .... havent read too much so far but have read about the battle of Seacroft and Whinmoor and the over throwing of King Cereticus of Barwick in Elmete conquered by Edwin King of Northumberland on his conquest West ... its very interesting reading... can imagine the Annals of Yorkshire is just as much as interesting

Leodian wrote: beginning at Nussey’s Buildings on the south side of Aire Street, covering up nearly the whole of the river Aire, now that would be one hell of a big station lolsorry - collecting my coat and closing the door on my way out

BIG N wrote: Leodian wrote: beginning at Nussey’s Buildings on the south side of Aire Street, covering up nearly the whole of the river Aire, now that would be one hell of a big station lolsorry - collecting my coat and closing the door on my way out It would have been a twisting track but would have made it quick and easy to get to Malham!