Onwards, to Leeds with @Esoteric Eric for a drain that's part of a water treatment works.
'The Knostrop Treatment Works, operated by FCC Environment, is the south east of Leeds, on the River Aire. The site has been mentioned in correspondence between Lancashire County Council and Arup in connection with radioactive waste water disposal (frack waste), from Cuadrilla Resource’s proposed appraisal wells at Preston New Road and Roseacre in Lancashire. The site has also been identified by the Department of the Environment as one of 3 in England with permits that would allow for the treatment of liquid fracking waste. Waste would likely discharged into the River Aire, though any solids (sludge) might be disposed of by a different route. There is a radioactive waste incinerator on site.'
Source: http://frack-off.org.uk/support-sites/knostrop-treatment-works/
Radioactive sewage, you say?! Hmmm...
Finding the way to the outfall was hindered by, in no particular order:
1. Fences
2. Brambles
3. Big walls
4. A constant stream of works vehicles
5. My incurable inability to navigate.
After a bit of misdirected speculative wandering, however, we found our way down and made our way into the slippy entrance. This place is, perhaps not surprisingly pretty stinky, but it's open and airy enough to be a pleasant explore on a bright winter morning. We were accompanied at different points by various birds, including a kingfisher (not pictured).
Disappear Here...
No st00ping required here; nice big brick tunnel, plenty of head space...
Slippy underfoot though...
At the end of this tunnel was my favourite feature of the whole explore in the form of the two massive iron penstocks. Across the top these you can make out the name of their maker, Ham Baker & Co Limited Makers, Westminster. The company was founded by Frederic George Sison Ham in 1893, becoming chairman and director in 1903. It was after this time that they began carrying out contracts for penstocks and iron works, in addition to the supply of all the fire hydrants used in London.
Source: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Frederic_George_Sison_Ham
Looking back down the first tunnel. I'm not sure if either of these actually move any more; one in particular seems to be wedged permanently open by sizeable tree debris.
Past the penstocks...
Getting in your sluices...
Looking at your pipes…
More tunnel, this time, curvaceous…
Venturing a little way into the site itself (the building to the left has not gone unnoticed...)
And it’s time to make our escape…
Reappear here...
Feeling fairly happy that I'd managed to stay on my feet for the duration, in spite of the slippy floor, I inevitably took a plunge into the depths of the shitty water whilst climbing out, when a secure looking branch turned out to not be so secure after all. Argh.
Taking photos of @Esoteric Eric taking pictures of water treatment works...
Few more pics here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm9smcJc
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