Underpasses

I found the article in the 2003 Journal regarding cattle creeps or culverts most intriguing and couldn't wait to check out one or two of those mentioned. Having had my first 'sighting' I found I was hooked and started coming across yet more of them as I ventured out into the area. Suddenly yet another dimension was added to my walks in the countryside.

As mentioned in the article, these culverts or underpasses were constructed under green lanes or roads to allow for the passage of animals from one field to another; they were made after the lanes had been enclosed by walls, probably during the enclosure movement. The height of these passages varies considerably and I wonder whether, when they were built, a distinction was made between the different animals which would be expected to use them - as is the case with sheep creeps and rabbit smoots. Many passages are now blocked off but the one on Stackhouse Lane (at GR815666, on the Giggleswick / Stainforth boundary) is easy to walk through. This was extensively repaired in February 2003 by the Highways Department, a major work which entailed closing the road above it for some considerable time.

The underpass on Rathmell Road, Giggleswick just beyond Four Lane Ends ( GR808632) is only big enough for sheep, as is one on Thwaite Lane between Wharfe and Austwick ( GR771692). However, the two I've found on Buck Haw Brow (GR794659 & GR791660 ) are of impressive proportions and must have warranted a great deal of structural work. An underpass is specifically mentioned in "The King's Highway in Craven" by John Briggs (1927). Here he refers to the first meeting of the Keighley / Kendal Turn Pike Trust in 1753 at which it was decided to repair the road 'going upon Brayshaw Scar to an underbridge at the bottom of Rawlinshaw Brow belonging to Mr. Lupton………' so perhaps we should be calling them 'underbridges'. The exact position of the underbridge referred to is still uncertain but it could well be the one I discovered on Brunton Lane only recently (GR7911662 ).

To date I have twenty one underpasses on my list and still counting, anyone know of a cure?

John J.Briggs, "The King's Highway in Craven", Printed by Dixon and Stell Ltd., Cross Hills, 1927