The old road ran through Holgate meadow to the ford. 

In medieval times the meadow was donated to the monks of Kirkstall Abbey by Geoffrey de Birdsall, a local landowner, for the good of his soul, as were many other fields in the township of Clifford. 

It is now part of the riverside area owned and managed by the Parish Council.

Early postcard view back along Holgate meadow from beneath one of the bridge arches, together with a similar view taken in 2009.  The ford began upstream of the present bridge and crossed the river diagonally to come out lower down by Bridge Farm.