Exploring the River Irk .........and travelling to Scotland via Victoria Railway Station

Now, there is something quite awesome about the spot where the Irk goes over the weir by Cheetham Hill Road.

It is I suppose the contrast between the slow mowing water as it reaches that stone wall and then the cascading bubbling swirl of water that disappears off under the bridge.

I first encountered it way back in the 1990s, when you could access the view from a stair way down from the main road.

Back then it was not the most edifying of places, and you had to pick your way past accumulated rubbish including discarded sleeping bags, empty bottles and much worse.

But you got a fine view of the river and across to that oddly named street Scotland.

Back then the area behind Scotland was open ground but like so much of what was once the run down bits of the city has become tall blocks of apartments and hotels.

But amongst all these examples of modern city living there is still the bits that take you back to our industrial past and the squalid housing that was crammed in the dismal and dark streets.

And over the next few weeks I will be revisiting that grim side of Manchester and renew an interest in a tiny stretch of streets that made up John Street, and Back Irk Street while also posting more of Andy Robertson’s pictures of the area.

He was down there yesterday and playfully introduced the collection with the title, "had a couple of hours spare, so decided to go to Scotland via Victoria" and not content with that added “this is Scotland where the Irk makes its final disappearance before meeting the Irwell.  Didn't spot any kilts though”.

Location; Manchester

Pictures; the Irk, 2018, from the collection of Andy Robertson

The undefeated River Irk ........

Now no matter what three centuries of industrialists and city planners have done, our urban rivers continue to flow and even offer up surprises.

And no more so than the River Irk.

It has been diverted, made to flow in deep and dark channels and harnessed to power all manner of
machinery.

Stretches of it pass out of the human eye but it is still there, and so I am pleased that Andy on his journey through the city and up into Collyhurst last week, stopped to capture this bit of the Irk by Danzic Street.

The buildings that once lined its course have gone but the river remains.

Now that has to be a happy story.

Location; Manchester

Picture; the river Irk, 2018, from the collection of Andy Robertson