York Walks /1

By the Foss – 1990 and 2004

While putting these pages together I've discovered one set of photographs I took back in 1990. These show areas around the Foss, and the Hungate area between Stonebow/Peasholme Green and the river. As I've recently taken similar photographs from very similar points, I thought I'd compare the views. The quality of these photos isn't particularly good, but they can all be enlarged by clicking on the image.

1990

  

2004
View of the iron bridge over the Foss, and the surrounding buildings, summer 1990   DEFRA building, by the river Foss, Peasholme Green, York, behind a fine old iron bridge. 25 January 2004

Above, left, taken in summer 1990, at almost the same point by the Foss as the photo (right) taken in January 2004. The 1990 photo shows the bridge painted grey, with low buildings behind it on the side of the Foss, with a sign reading 'Adams Hydraulics'. In 2004, the office buildings constructed since, originally MAFF, now DEFRA (government department, with a modernised name), and the bridge painted in a rather attractive shade of blue. Note that when the riverside buildings change, the reflections in the water change too.

The photos below were taken from Rowntree Wharf, 14 years apart. When I visited this year I'd forgotten about these earlier photos, so the similarities of chosen view are a happy coincidence. Though it's summer in the 1990 photos, and winter in the 2004 ones, I think that it's obvious, whatever the season, that this isn't the most attractive area of the city. Plans for its redevelopment are currently being considered. The redevelopment will, of course, be mainly housing.

1990

  

2004
By the Foss, summer 1990   By the Foss, January 2004

Warehouses, summer 1990, by the banks of the Foss, between the river and Peasholme Green.

  

Now cleared of buildings. The chimney of the incinerator on Foss Islands Road is still visible in the background.
Looking over the Hungate area, from Rowntree Wharf   Somewhere over the Stonebow, skies are blue

Again from Rowntree Wharf, looking over the Hungate area. The buildings have been cleared. The Minster and Stonebow buildings are visible on the horizon.

The area shown in these photos also features in York walks /1 – Ripe for redevelopment.
Characterful old industrial buildings, 1990   Flattened derelict land, Hungate area

Possibly rather ramshackle buildings, on the banks of the Foss.

 

All gone now – leaving more empty space for temporary car parking.

Rowntree Wharf walkway, 1990   Rowntree Wharf, view along walkway, 2004

The walkway along the side of Rowntree Wharf. Note that in 1990 the building on the right is obviously under construction.

  

The same view, in January 2004. The building is of course completed, and is a car park. The spire of St Mary's on Castlegate is visible on the horizon.
     

You are here – York Walks /1 – return to main pageYork Walks /1

York Walks /2

York Walks /3

York Walks /4