Description and History of Site:-

A remarkable stretch of ancient roadway survives across the open moorland of the Blackstone Edge watershed, once forming part of the main route between Rochdale, Ripponden, and onward to Halifax or Elland. This section closely follows the course of the Roman road linking Manchester (Mancunium) to Ilkley (Olicana), catalogued as Margary 720a.

On the Yorkshire side, the line of the road diverges from the present A58 at New Gate End Bridge—the name “New Gate” itself hinting at the later creation of the modern route. From here the highway climbs steadily, skirting Rag Sapling Clough to the south. Near Slack Pit Hill, the base of a medieval wayside cross survives (Historic England reference 23384). Further on, at SD 98451 17805, traces of cambered earthworks with flanking drainage ditches can still be discerned.

At around 1,400 ft elevation the road crosses into Greater Manchester and intersects with the Pennine Way (SD 97323 17062). Here the descent begins, steep in places with gradients as sharp as 1 in 4.5. Along this western slope, extensive paving has been exposed: a central strip of hollowed “causey stones” about 3 ft wide, flanked by stone setts to a total carriageway width of roughly 7 ft 6 in, with kerb and buried buttress stones supporting a cambered surface nearly 18 ft across.

The dating of this paving is debated. Some argue it is Roman; others see it as later, perhaps from the era of medieval or early modern packhorse routes. The use of local millstone grit ensured durability, but the hollowed channel in the centre has raised questions: was it for drainage, guiding carts, or even braking? Whatever its origin, the route itself is certain—connecting Manchester north-eastward through Oldham, Rochdale, Littleborough, and Blackstone Edge, then on toward Luddendenfoot and Ilkley.

Partway down the western descent lies a short zig-zag deviation (SD 9658 1700), thought to ease passage around one of the steepest sections. The ancient line rejoins the present metalled road at Lydgate (SD 96253 16802), where again the element “gate” reflects its medieval usage.

In later centuries the significance of Blackstone Edge lay less in its Roman past than in its role in the woollen textile trade. Rochdale was a major centre of manufacture, and this route provided a vital link to markets in Elland, Halifax, Wakefield, and Leeds. Strong trading ties existed between Rochdale weavers and those of the Ryburn valley, particularly around Soyland and Sowerby. Its importance was such that in 1735 an Act of Parliament authorised the conversion of the road into a turnpike, with gentler gradients better suited to wheeled vehicles.

Further Reading and References:-

Defoe, D. A tour through the whole island of Great Britain, Furnbank, P N and Owens, W R edited and abridged. Yale University Press, 1991, pp. 254-258.
Kendall, H P. 'Blackstone Edge roads', Transactions of the Halifax Antiquarian Society (THAS), 1909, pp. 109-119.
Hoyle, J H. 'The Manchester-Ilkley Roman Road', THAS, 1916, pp. 177-229.
Crump, W B. 'Ancient highways of the Parish of Halifax, 4 Early Map and Road Surveys', THAS, 1925, pp. 236-256.
Haigh, D. 'Blue ball and baitings, Soyland: A tall story explained', THAS, New Series Vol. 2, 1994, pp. 15-25.

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Key Words :- roman road medieval highway packhorse track

Viewing the Site :- The whole length can be walked but appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for hill walking is advised.

Address :- Rochdale Road, off, Ripponden, West Yorkshire, HX6 AND OL15
Grid Ref :- SD9880218405
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.662129 , Long -2.019604
Local Authority :- Calderdale Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Scheduled Ancient Monument SAM
Historic England List No - 1005819,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- unknown -
Contributor :- John Suter - 29 September 2016

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter