Google Earth and Street Views are brilliant.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 26 Nov, 2011 7:28 pm

I could spend ages just looking around Google views. They could easily become addictive. When looking around from a view brought up in the 'Fox & Grapes, York Road' thread I saw something that looked interesting (well it did to me!). This link should bring up a view that shows an obvious track of some sort that runs up and left from near the Dog's Trust. http://g.co/maps/zwhp7 On widening the field-of-view the track can be seen to run to the A58 between Bardsey and Collingham (and possibly to the A659 near East Keswick). It does not seem to follow the line of the old Leeds to Wetherby railway. I wonder if anyone knows what the track is? Edit added around 22:14 Nov 26 2011. Where I said "near East Keswick" should have been "near the edge of Collingham".

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 26 Nov, 2011 9:01 pm

Mangrill Lane Leodian? I managed to drive the length of this once in a mad youthful moment - it comes out at the side of the first wood reached after travelling through Thorner, There was a hairy moment when I met a tractor coming the other way - thankfully he took to the field to let me pass, more I suspect in bewilderment rather than courtessy aloneNothing more than an old thoroughfare from days past. (ps, Leodian, I've shortened your title a touch to bring the page back normal width)

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sat 26 Nov, 2011 9:20 pm

The lane is part of the West Yorkshire Cycle Route.It wouldn't be wise to try and traverse it by car now, as there is a rather sturdy looking metal gate at the Thorner end. You'd have no trouble getting by on a bike, but you'd have to reverse back an awful long way in a car!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 26 Nov, 2011 11:10 pm

chameleon wrote: Mangrill Lane Leodian? I managed to drive the length of this once in a mad youthful moment - it comes out at the side of the first wood reached after travelling through Thorner, There was a hairy moment when I met a tractor coming the other way - thankfully he took to the field to let me pass, more I suspect in bewilderment rather than courtessy aloneNothing more than an old thoroughfare from days past. (ps, Leodian, I've shortened your title a touch to bring the page back normal width) Thanks chameleon. As Mangrill Lane is labelled on the Google view I have a feeling that I may have caused confusion referring to the feature that I was asking about as a track. It is a very broad linear feature (with some sharp bends) that starts next to the A64 near to but on the opposite side of the Dog's Trust. It soon crosses Mangrill Lane then follows that for a while but then continues and can be traced to at least the A58 between Bardsey and Collingham and possibly to the A659 near the edge of Collingham (I see that I incorrectly said the A659 near East Keswick in my first post). Sorry therefore if I have caused any confusion. The question still remains though as to what the feature is or was.

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 26 Nov, 2011 11:33 pm

raveydavey wrote: The lane is part of the West Yorkshire Cycle Route.It wouldn't be wise to try and traverse it by car now, as there is a rather sturdy looking metal gate at the Thorner end. You'd have no trouble getting by on a bike, but you'd have to reverse back an awful long way in a car! I'm going back some 30 years now Davey and with age comes wisdom?? Caution anyroads

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 26 Nov, 2011 11:46 pm

Leodian wrote: chameleon wrote: Mangrill Lane Leodian? I managed to drive the length of this once in a mad youthful moment - it comes out at the side of the first wood reached after travelling through Thorner, There was a hairy moment when I met a tractor coming the other way - thankfully he took to the field to let me pass, more I suspect in bewilderment rather than courtessy aloneNothing more than an old thoroughfare from days past. (ps, Leodian, I've shortened your title a touch to bring the page back normal width) Thanks chameleon. As Mangrill Lane is labelled on the Google view I have a feeling that I may have caused confusion referring to the feature that I was asking about as a track. It is a very broad linear feature (with some sharp bends) that starts next to the A64 near to but on the opposite side of the Dog's Trust. It soon crosses Mangrill Lane then follows that for a while but then continues and can be traced to at least the A58 between Bardsey and Collingham and possibly to the A659 near the edge of Collingham (I see that I incorrectly said the A659 near East Keswick in my first post). Sorry therefore if I have caused any confusion. The question still remains though as to what the feature is or was. Ah yes I saw that but thought of it more as a ground feature rather than a track. Could be wrong but, I wonder if it was the excavation for the natural gas pipeline which came across from Aberford way, amidst much furore because of the carnage it caused, now largely invissible. If you follow through, there is a junction to the left as it approaches Compton Lane and you will see a compound there just of the road to the left. This houses a high pressure gas distribution unit with the pipework above gound. There are strong warnings to beware ad the gas is in its raw form here and does not have the familiar stench which is artificial and added before it reaches our homes - escaping gas would be heard perhaps but not detected unless ...... !Why there is nothing to be seen after this, I don't know but this does happen wth aerial views, seema to depend upon what has happened to the land I think.

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Sun 27 Nov, 2011 12:06 am

It actually continues south to Aberford and then on the other side of the A1 runs to Drax, but I dont know what it is. Could be an underground water pipe that been laid between the two rivers Wharfe and Ouse to allow the diversion of water!!!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 27 Nov, 2011 1:04 am

Thanks chameleon and buffaloskinner. It does look like what could be seen if there has been pipe laying work.It is quite fascinating what can be seen on Google views that are not obvious (if at all) when walking even in local areas that I thought I knew. My "I wonder what that is?" thoughts are common when I look at such views.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sun 27 Nov, 2011 10:14 am

A really interesting find, Leodian.The feature you identify appears to turn west to the south of Collingham, then north again to cross the Wharfe to the north of East Keswick. It can then be followed in a generally north-westerly direction passing Kirkby Overblow to the south and to the north of North Rigton until I lose track of it to the east of the B6161 Leathley Road. At this point the Google view becomes much more indistinct and "washed out".At a guess I should think that it is headed for the Washburn Valley reservoirs. Might this be a pipeline to top up Leeds's water supply from the Ouse in the event of drought?

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 27 Nov, 2011 10:30 am

As you get closer to the S/E end past Drax, it becomes an open trench with excavation vehicles present suggesting the work may have continued even further, possibly to the Easington terminalZoom in an lengths of pipe can be seen ready for installation. They appear to be the familiar yellow colour used to indicate gas lines, I would have expected blue and, posssibly larger lines for water.