A bridge over the River Aire at Washington Street (off Kirkstall Road).

whitecoatboy · Post by **whitecoatboy** » Wed 12 Feb, 2014 11:51 pm

i once camped on the small island, we took a couple on dinghys across using an existing rope over the fast flowing river. a mate of mine just jumped in with the dinghy and went under the water ......oh so funny, we had a great night but on our return to cross the river again a local fisherman had cut the rope then gave us lots of abuse. nice fella though

jim · Post by **jim** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 1:05 am

Phill_dvsn wrote: 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 The bridge shown at an angle in these pictures was a railway bridge serving a Corporation yard Phill. It was effectively an extension of the yard and sidings to the west of Wellington Road, known to railway staff as "Far Field", and appears on the 1908 Godfrey map of NW Leeds. I recall the bridge still being in existence in the 1950s, but when it was finally dismantled is not known to me.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 1:25 am

Hi Jim.I knew about the first rail bridge near Monksbridge, but not the second one further up. Full size photo herehttp://tinyurl.com/p6y59ozAnd this photo below shows the two rail bridges in question.Full size photo herehttp://tinyurl.com/qef5zfrYou can just see a single mineral truck on the line too. I never noticed the railway lines between the canal and river going so far up before. It isn't easy to see on the maps really, although the yard detail is very clear. I wonder what the straight bridge Leo asks about was used for then?

Post by **mhoulden** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 2:30 am

The current bridge over the Aire is a pipe bridge. I'm guessing they built something pretty substantial because it's quite a long span and a particularly large pipe. The "screw manufactory" on Phill.d's map is still there and still making screws, but it's now SFS Intec rather than GKN/British Screw Co, and the site was rebuilt in 1997: http://www.sfsintec.biz/internet/sfs12. ... ID/Company.

jim · Post by **jim** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 10:43 am

There is another interesting rail bridge shown on the map you show Phill. "Castleton Bridge" (lower left hand corner) over the Harrogate line served the Leeds Forge Company via a long siding which left the Bradford/Carlisle line goods yard heading NW by Canal Road. The line turned through a full semi-circle climbing steeply, and, crossing this bridge, ended up facing in the opposite direction as it traversed the works yard. I believe the remains of the abutments are still in place.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 2:16 pm

mhoulden wrote: The current bridge over the Aire is a pipe bridge. I'm guessing they built something pretty substantial because it's quite a long span and a particularly large pipe. The "screw manufactory" on Phill.d's map is still there and still making screws, but it's now SFS Intec rather than GKN/British Screw Co, and the site was rebuilt in 1997: http://www.sfsintec.biz/internet/sfs12. ... ID/Company. Thanks for that information about the bridge that runs to Washington Street.

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 8:23 pm

Jogon wrote: 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 I think I may take a look at that in the summer when the river level is lower. It looks an interesting spot to stroll to.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 10:29 pm

Secret Leeds Island Expedition 2014.Great thread btw - Jim those rail bridges etc are fascinating.Leeds Forge co was, I think, owned by Fox as in the acting dynasty ?

liits · Post by **liits** » Thu 13 Feb, 2014 11:51 pm

jim wrote: I believe the remains of the abutments are still in place. This isn't the picture that I was intending to post but it shows what I believe to be the abutments of the bridge marked on the map as "Castleton Bridge".

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri 14 Feb, 2014 12:12 am

Jogon wrote: Leeds Forge co was, I think, owned by Fox as in the acting dynasty ? Looks like it Jogon, the wikipedia entry on the firm's founder Samson Fox makes that connection. Lots of info by googling "leeds forge co". I know little about the company,other than they specialised in railway vehicle components, and was surprised to see a connection with Cammell Laird.