SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I've often wondered why this arch on the Holbeck viaduct is built on a skew, and much bigger than the others. Looking at something completely different i managed to find out why. I'll give you detectives something to go at if your bored with nothing better to do. Any ideas why? No doubt it may come in useful on some of the other threads we've covered on S.L.

Phill_dvsn wrote: I've often wondered why this arch on the Holbeck viaduct is built on a skew, and much bigger than the others. Looking at something completely different i managed to find out why. I'll give you detectives something to go at if your bored with nothing better to do. Any ideas why? No doubt it may come in useful on some of the other threads we've covered on S.L. I don't know and look forward to the answer. It does though look as if there was something round in the grassed area, so there may have once been a structure there that meant the arch had to be built askew, though I don't know what. Also the road/track around the houses does seem an odd shape so perhaps that is related. OK, I'll never have been any good as a detective.

Looking at the snug fit of these houses was it a case of skew the arch or demolish the terrace? just a silly beery thought. HIC!!http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... AY=FULLI'm sure I read somewere it was widened in 1914 did that have anything to do with it? HMMM BEER!!

I guess looking at todays aerial image could be a red herring. You'd have to go back to what was there when they built the viaduct in 1882. Good try there with the Leodis links Kango. But it's not the answer.

Looking at an old map of the area, (www.old-maps,co.uk) there seems to be "Low Beck" running diagonally in relation to the viaduct and this arch could be this shape in order to accomodate it. I used to work in Barkston House just opposite and wondered many times about this!

OOOOH I love a mystery (especialy after a few sherberts)the Game is afoot Phil, this really is Secret Leeds!! to the keyboard!!I worked in Barkston house too In the 70's, Grumpybloke and never noticed the skew in the arch.    

grumpybloke wrote: Looking at an old map of the area, (www.old-maps,co.uk) there seems to be "Low Beck" running diagonally in relation to the viaduct and this arch could be this shape in order to accomodate it. I used to work in Barkston House just opposite and wondered many times about this! You got it in one. Excellent work! The diagonal course of the low beck hence the skew arch.A 1953 shot showing Low Beck and collpased part of Torbay Place.Torbay Place more or less stood where Barkston House is.Well done indeed P.S sorry for spoiling your detective work Kango.I have found one of the old bridges for the old low beck very near here. You can see if you can find that i guess. But it's a tricky one to crack.

Is the bridge you refer to the one to the left hand side rear of Peter Cassidy's on Holbeck Lane Phill? Just a wild guess......Your most recently posted map reminded me of a pub well known to staff of Holbeck engine sheds in days past,notorious even. It was the Blue Ball, which I think appears to the middle right on Domestic Road    

"P.S sorry for spoiling your detective work Kango.I have found one of the old bridges for the old low beck very near here. You can see if you can find that i guess. But it's a tricky one to crack."No aperlogies needed Phil This is superb stuff. I've learnt more in the last hour or so and such fun!! From the guy who built it to reading blogs with the words Holbeck and Viaduct in them.More of the same please!!

jim wrote: Is the bridge you refer to the one to the left hand side rear of Peter Cassidy's on Holbeck Lane Phill? Just a wild guess......Your most recently posted map reminded me of a pub well known to staff of Holbeck engine sheds in days past,notorious even. It was the Blue Ball, which I think appears to the middle right on Domestic Road     Indeed it is Jim We have some very clued up peeps on this site!I first noticed it a while ago while having a look at Low Hall mills.It's ancient for sure. I was convinced it was a bridge at one time, but the stream has long since gone. There is no trace of the bridge the far side, or any traces of it's course. So i was a bit bemused till i looked at the old maps. I never bothered snapping it then. I'll have to go back.I'll see if i can find any other pics of it.Glad your enjoying things, and having fun Kango anyway