Morley to Leeds 08/02/15

6.1 miles, via Churwell, Beeston and Holbeck

No #Hibernot to start this year, let's get straight to the action and the major themes of the season, and trails to the North and East, ventures across Leeds and the road to the Coast all demand that I set out from Morley to Leeds, where a largely unique rout can still be dug out. Starting out from the new WYMetro sign outside the Town hall at 9.50am, my path goes along Albion Street, to the top half of commercial Street, past the Congregational church and branch Library, and down through the terraces of Zoar Street to drop down to Troy Lane and Albert Road, and down the steep path to Station Road. Beyond the railway station it's up the path to New bank Street, where new development has claimed the equestrian fields seen here two years ago, and then it's out into the fields to fall and rise my way to Broad Oaks farm. A field walk leads me into the back of Churwell, and across Elland Road and to head down Old Road, the original route of the Leeds to Elland turnpike and down through the oldest part of the village before passing out below the railway viaduct to the main road and joining Millshaw, which continues the forgotten route of the turnpike across Ring Road Beeston and sharply uphill to meet the back of Beeston itself.

Town Street & Beeston Road show all of the district's faces, from the council estates and the many terrace ends to the green spaces created by the Beeston & Holbeck cemeteries and Cross Flatts park, and past the excellent view of the city at the Tempest Road junction, it snakes downhill, overly wide and seemingly forgotten about as it approaches the M621 which cut it off from the city. Under the motorway to the corner of Holbeck Moor and then on through the post industrial landscape, over the railway and taking paths from Jack Lane to Water Lane that squeeze between car parks, office buildings and the old remains of Holbeck's industry before crossing the canal at Office Lock and walking the towpath under the railway station throat to cross the Millennium footbridge over the Aire. A walk along the riverside, leads us beyond the offices and hotels to roll us up at Leeds Station, and as I'll be making a good few trails from here this year, I'll make my way via all three entrances, at Aire Street, City Square and New Station Street for a 12.05 finish.

5,000 Miles Cumulative Total: 1408.3 miles

Up Country Total: 1312.7 miles
Solo Total: 1181.3 miles

Crank Mill, Station Road, built in 1792 by the Earl of
Dartmouth, the oldest industrial Building in Morley,
and still in regular use for bespoke carpentry.

Broad Oaks farm, offering fine views across the city,
at the heart of lands that will be disputed for residential
development for a long time to come.

Old Road, Churwell, the original route of the Leeds & Elland
Turnpike, bypassed for a more direct route in the late 19th century,
though tracing the history of old roads in Britain is a distinct challenge.

Millshaw, Beeston, the turnpike continues uphill,
with this southern aspect offering villas that were built when the
district might have higher aspirations than it does these days.

Beeston Cemetery, one of the pair which endure on the hillside,
away from the risk of flooding in the valley below, and it's
mostly a pretty sad affair, not well loved by the locals.

The City from the Beeston Road - Tempest Road junction, a fine view,
one which was painted by JMW Turner in 1817, and resided on my wall
until a few years ago as it had faded to a very strange colour indeed.

Beeaston Road, wide and truncated by the M621, and feeling like
 it has been completely forgotten about, hopefully redevelopment of
Holbeck Moor and the nearby sports club will give it new life.

Round Foundry, Holbeck, where Matthew Murray made engineering
innovations in the late 18th century, but never made his reputation because
of his willingness to share his designs with his competitors.

Millennium Bridge, River Aire, one on the pair of footbridges
that had not featured on my travels so far, sometimes you do
design your route just for the purposes of box ticking!

Leeds City Station, where I finally end a walk after three years
 of failing, and despite two rounds of development in the 21st
century, the 1960s façade endures, to the joy of no one.

Next Up: A stroll to Wakefield district.