Crossing the River - 2

River Eamont (Part 9)

In a previous blip I said that the River Eamont had to be crossed three times in quick succession. This is the second of these crossings – the M6.
 
This afternoon we dodged the showers and had a pleasant walk in the sunshine to get to the motorway bridge. From Yanwath, we followed a footpath through fields until we reached the river. I had thought we would be walking for a while beside the river. We were – but it was way, way down below us and there was an extremely steep banking, fenced off for obvious reasons. I never could read contour lines on OS maps!! We eventually arrived at the motorway and walked for a short way beside it – always a strange experience.
 
Then we walked down to the point where the river and the motorway meet – at Southwaite Green Mill. This area is now a Residential Park Home Development, but the mill was once an important corn mill, which only ceased working in the 1950s. It was a three-storey mill, powered by water from the Eamont and milled locally grown wheat. A weir was constructed and this still exists, although at the moment it is difficult to see it through the foliage.
 
There is an interesting account online about what happened when the M6 was constructed. The planned route divided the mill from its access road and the 72 year old widow, who was living there and who had been there since 1918, was understandably perturbed about this. Eventually it was agreed that they would reconstruct the road to go under the bridge. Apparently the lady was quite shocked when she first found she had to walk under the bridge, with all the traffic above, in order to leave her home.
 
So this picture is the M6 Bridge over the Eamont, taken from underneath and showing how wide and deep and fast the river is still running at this point. I have added a picture of the bridge itself. I have also included a picture of the mill to show what a substantial building it is.

(And if you look at the map, you will guess where I am going next!)