The Woodpecker Inn originally stood on the junction with York Road and Burmantofts Street. It was closed and demolished in 1939 with a new Woodpecker built on the opposite corner. It welcomed drinkers for generations and gave its name to the busy junction which drove motorists to distraction for decades. Last orders were called in 1990 as the pub was demolished to make way for the construction of the Quarry Hill road junction. Enjoy these images, published courtesy of photo archive Leodis, The Thoresby Society and YEP archive, charting its history. READ MORE: The rocky road that took Leeds more than four decades to finish LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
7. Woodpecker junction
The Woodpecker pub pictured in January 1989 just months before it was demolished.
8. Woodpecker junction
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church standing at Woodpecker Junction in May/June 1964. The coaches are in New York Road, the properties to the right are in Burmantofts Street, Marsh Lane goes off from the bottom left-hand corner and York Road is the junction at the right edge. The Woodpecker pub is off camera, bottom edge. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Woodpecker junction
Last orders at the bar. The pub closed in early 1990 and was demolished to make way for the flyover to the inner ring road. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Woodpecker Junction
The Woodpecker Junction looking north-west showing the £7.5 million scheme in 1991/92. Stage 5 of the Inner Ring Road is well underway. In the foreground is the slip-road from the A64. The westbound flyover is in the process of being constructed and beneath it St. Patrick's Chapel in New York Road can be seen. The Roman Catholic Church is built in red brick and opened in 1891. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Enjoyed this gallery?
Share your memories of The Woodpecker and the notorious junction with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net