The River Aire - a different experience

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 08:51

The River and Dock

Looking forward, the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation awaited us. For the moment, we were still in Leeds and the river was lined by buildings and old wharfs now modernised.

The River Aire in Leeds

Warehouse accommodation

New housing development

Leeds Bridge (1B) is Grade II listed and dates from 1730

The medieval town of Leeds was centred here, on a wide road either side of a river crossing. A wool cloth market here became the centre of the wool trade for the West Riding of Yorkshire, as the old county was named from 1889- 1974.

A medieval bridge was built across the River Aire replacing the ferry. It was rebuilt in 1870-1773 by WH Barlow to a design by T. Dyne Steel. The cast iron balustrade is decorated with rings and flowers and bears the arms of the Corporation of Leeds, depicting crowned owls and a fleece. The bridge marks the western terminus (or for us the western start) of the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Leeds coat of arms and memorial to T. Dyne Steel

In contrast a new footbridge follows with Crown Point Bridge beyond it

Crown Point Bridge opened in 1842, originally a toll bridge

Immediately after Crown Point Bridge, the navigation heads off right, away from the weir and towards Leeds Lock. Leeds Lock is for another day, as we were turning right just before it, into Clarence Dock to moor for a couple of nights.

Leeds Lock and Clarence Dock to the right

Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Aire and Calder Navigation, Office Lock to Clarence Dock, 1 hour 24 minutes, 0.88 miles, 2 locks