Aire Mile 51 Knostrop Cut 76'

Aire Mile 51 Knostrop Cut 76’

Here is what looks like the River Aire and it actually is but it wasn’t. The Aire used to meander over to the right of the photo and is blocked off. Its current path under those two bridges you can see is that of a cut or canal that enabled boats to avoid several mill weirs on the river. It is not a natural route. The real River Aire was filled in by 1919.

Old maps reveal all. The hardwear you can see is canal stuff: the remains of locks, a wharf and hoists. The tow path from Leeds is on the right as well so to cross the river to continue down the cut on the left, the tow horses had to cross by ferry.

The ducks are real.