Features - Tunnels Under City Station

[Leodian]

This is a photo that I took today (April 30 2014) showing a view looking towards the Dark Arches. The crane was very tall but I could not readily see what it was doing (it may or may not have anything to do with the work going on at the Dark Arches area).

[Jaimersun]

Has anyone ever been brave enough to leap the little barrier opposite the train station car park and go down those grey stairs to see where they lead? I've always wanted to look.

[Leodian]

Jaimersun wrote:

Has anyone ever been brave enough to leap the little barrier opposite the train station car park and go down those grey stairs to see where they lead? I've always wanted to look.

Hiya Jaimersun.

I assume you mean those steps that are visible in the photo in my post on 28-Jan-2013 18:31:22. I've been tempted but have never dared to go onto them! I bet security staff would be there very quickly! I've seen workmen on the steps and though I don't know I wonder if they lead to being able to get onto the stone lined river bed that seems as if it will run all the way to where the river comes out at the Dark Arches. In low flow I've seen men walking/working on the stone-lined floor of the river at the Dark Arches end.

[beadysam]

Hi all. First post here so be kind please.,.

I live away from Leeds now ( for 20 years) and still moss it dreadfully. I'd live to move back but it's just not possible for the the foreseeable future Anyway, about the Dark Arches;y dad was a gas fitter and was part of the team refitting the Queens hotel kitchens were overrun with very large rats from the water flowing under the arches and buildings. This was early 70s.

Trusting thatLeeds hasn't changed beyond all recognition... When you come out of the city station and cross the car park, you reach a flight of stairs that leads down to Bishopsgate Street. Go down. Turn right at the bottom of the stairs and don't cross the road. As you walk forward there should be a doorway on your right - I have no idea what business (if any) is there now but in the 80's it was a club called Daggi's that was open till 6am. They were a club til 2am then sold food and soft or hot drinks til 6am. There were also pool and snooker tables - anyone remember it? Run by Daggi and Brendan? Anyway, walk past the door and in the next right you get to the arches and the back of the club. This is where the bins were and the heating and a/c pipes. A couple of homeless guys ( or tramps as they were known then) used to climb up onto one of the ridges near the hot pipes to go to sleep in the warmth. Sadly one night one of them, slightly worse for wear, fell off and died. It was a big shock, and from then on Daggi's staff would always move them on.

Brendan and Daggi were friends and gave me a lift home. They always parked in the arches and drove round a bit of a loop to get out. With it all looking the same and being tired after a long shift I found the route a bit disorienting and couldn't find my way around noe, but there were long tunnels, loads of arches with doors and the odd glimpse of water. Hope that helps or is interesting.

Sorry about typing. I am having investigations for double vision which makes it hard to type accurately!

[tyke bhoy]

Welcome Sam, although the Neville Street "Tunnel" has been refurbished this area of Leeds hasn't changed too much.
I believe Shabab now occupies the space you were talking about and is the latest in the line of several restuarants to occupy the premises. https://goo.gl/maps/vzEEpC3Bths If you swivel the map round you can see what is a service entrance to some premises at the north end of the "tunnel". The area is still a hot spot for homeless rough sleepers and sadly one died earlier this year inside a tent just further south of the service entrance.