#infrastructure — Modernist Delights

Carr House Lane bridge, Lancaster, 2025

A narrow tarmac path curves under a stone railway bridge with overhead electric wires. Trees with autumn leaves and green bushes line the sides. A cloudy sky looms above. Metal railings and a blue sign are visible near the tunnel entrance.

New and old on Regent’s Canal, Islington, London, 2025

Sunny day on the Regent's Canal, taken from on the water. The foreground features a large, lush green tree. In the middle, there are some 19th century buildings, including a mill and cottage. In the background there is a 1960's mid-rise housing block, all set against a clear blue sky.

I’m not turning this blog into Riparian Delights, I promise. This counts as a Modernist Delight because the housing block in the back is Jessop Court, built 1969. Diespeker Wharf, a Victorian former timber mill & terrazzo and marble manufacturer, and an early 19th century wharf-keeper’s cottage.

Tiling detail at Moorgate station, London, 2025

A close up shot of small square tiles. They are primarily amber, and as they reflect in the light you can see the pattern embedded within them goes in different directions. There are also two bands of black tiles, one towards the top, and one at the very bottom.

On the New Jersey Turnpike

A love letter to a motorway (sorry, turnpike) in the New York Times (gift link) feels as if it was written specifically for me.

Stafford station, 2025

Image of 1950's brutalist train station, with the concrete panel covered lift shaft visible in the centre, and an adjoining glass tunnel above rail level. Also visible is a staircase with diagonal concrete panelling.

Bridges, Manchester, 2024

View from below of several intersecting iron bridges with ornate lattice and riveted structures. The sky is partly cloudy, and sunlight highlights the details. Rust and weathering are visible on the nearest bridge section, emphasizing the aged architecture.

The A58 in Halifax, 2024

A person with a backpack walks on a wet, empty pavement beneath a large concrete flyover. The overpass curves overhead, supported by tall pillars. In the background are trees, an old brick building, and tall apartment blocks under a cloudy sky.

Three layered bridges cross each other above a paved area. The lowest bridge is ornate and red, while the two above are plain concrete with large pillars. Cloudy sky, sparse trees, and several people walking below add to the urban scene.

Michael’s Bridge, leading into the grounds of Eton College, 2024

A wooden pedestrian bridge with metal railings extends forward, framed by large rectangular support beams. The path is lined with autumn trees, some with golden leaves, under a mostly cloudy sky with patches of blue.

On M62 reservoirs

Steve could make a wet reservoir look good 😍 And does! This is really interesting actually, despite living in Manchester once upon a time I didn’t realise how much earthworks the M62 required until I saw it written down all in one place.

Several Yorkshire Reservoirs

Moorgate Station to Liverpool Street Station tunnel, London, 2024

A long, tiled underground tunnel with curved walls and ceiling, illuminated by bright overhead lights. Three people walk along the tunnel, two heading away and one towards the camera. The scene has a symmetrical, futuristic appearance.

I thought CityMapper was sending me walkies round London for no reason but it was just trying to show me a very long, very repetitive pedestrian tunnel, DUH 🤦🏼‍♂️ And I’m so thankful for that!