SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

While having a casual look at Google Maps I happened to spot that Washington Street (it runs off Kirkstall Road) seemed to end abruptly by the River Aire. On changing to the Google satellite view that however showed a bridge running over the River Aire to/from Washington Street. On looking through maps in the Old Maps UK website I found that there is no bridge marked there on maps (some large scale) up to at least a 1933 1:2500 map. There was nothing marked there on a 1956-1957 1:10560 map (even on enlarging). That may not have been too small scale to show a bridge as a 1968-1969 1:10560 map does show the bridge. It is also marked on a 1966-1971 1:2500 map but that does cover a long period.It would seem that the bridge was erected relatively recent, certainly much more recent than I would have thought. Does anyone know when it was built and what purpose it was/is for? It may run from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal but that is hard to be definite. This a link to the Google satellite view:- http://goo.gl/maps/86bLG and this is to the Google Map view:- http://goo.gl/maps/MFqDF    

Hi Leo. This 1951 aerial photo shows a bridge crossing the river in that area. It runs on an angle so obviously it isn't the same bridge. Full size photo herehttp://tinyurl.com/oze92vmIf it's not marked on maps, it's quite possible it was only built to carry pipes across the river. There are a few of those around Leeds. This one down at Stourton/Hunslet just carries pipes across the river and canalhttp://goo.gl/maps/hRNLr    

Cheers Phill. That's most interesting. Moving up river from the Google satellite view there does not now seem to be a bridge where there is in the 1951 photo (I feel sure it is not the Washington Street bridge). Moving downriver there is a large bridge over the Aire that connects two large waste areas that look as if there would have been buildings there not long ago, but what they were I don't recall.

You've 'jogged' my memory there Leo. In early 2013 I had a look at the then vacant former Yorkshire Chemicals site, walking to the far side and nearly plucked up strength to walk over the weird bridge there. It takes you to a sort of island then there's the canal.I bottled out cos am naturally accident prone However I did promise myself a visit to the Island which is sort of round the back of Morrisons near the Kirkstall. There's access from the nature reserve but it looks to be a sort of cart track / ford over the fairly fast-flowing river..Anyone?http://binged.it/1aVXC60

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Cheers for that Jogon. Or should that be 3 cheers!

Here's your weird bridge Jogon

"Internal Use Only". I'd need a big stomach and a very large drink to get that down! and a bit

Not been there Jogon - but might have to try to get to the island when the weather is a little bit kinder!