Bad Neighbours? Water Supply and the Civic Rivalry of Leeds and Bradford, c.1850–1887. (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McTominey, Andrew
• Is Part Of: International journal of regional and local history. Volume 12:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Civic rivalry -- civic identity -- waterworks -- nineteenth-century Britain; Regions (Administrative and political divisions) -- History -- Periodicals; Cities and towns -- History -- Periodicals; Local government -- History -- Periodicals; Local history -- Periodicals; 900
• DOI: 10.1080/20514530.2017.1353769
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-4530

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article looks to explore the civic rivalry between Leeds and Bradford through the medium of their respective waterworks. As both towns grew in population and industry, clean, soft water was vital in order to maintain growth. Due to their geographic proximity, both towns looked to the same sources of water, which inevitably led to conflict. By examining the prolonged battle for the waters of the Upper Wharfe between 1853 and 1858, as well as flashpoint episodes in 1884, and 1887, this article will highlight how both towns attempted to express their civic authority and power through the building of mass waterworks schemes, which not only provided for their populations but emphasised their ability to construct large, expensive infrastructure projects that gave prominence to the civic project.