Natland Mill Beck Lane

Natland Mill Beck Lane is one of the roads I walk along at lunchtime when I go to buy my chicken and chorizo pasta salad from Asda. I'm not quite sure how to parse its name: maybe it is the lane of the beck that goes to Natland Mill? 

Indeed, coming from the eastern (Asda) end of the road, you can see a deep trench to the left of the road where the beck must once have run. It's pretty clear that no water has run along there for a while; it's full of mature plants and small trees. Perhaps it was blocked when the road was built.

Indeed, from the far side of the A65, you can see how the water has been diverted, even though it does end up going through the houses that have been developed in the old mill buildings. 

But about a hundred yards along Natland Mill Beck Lane, as the old beck becomes more filled and rises to the level of the road, you encounter this contraption. I'm guessing that once upon a time this slab could be raised or lowered by turning some kind of key and, when the road blocked the beck, it was left in place. I wonder how long it will remain here for?

****
-12.4 kgs (consistently over twelve now!)
0 words