IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Manor Cottages Approach, LONDON, N2 8JR

Neighbourhood girls enjoying fine Spring weather and a chat in the open green space that abuts the North Circular on Manor Cottages Approach in East Finchley.

Early morning view looking northwest towards the junction with the North Circular Road (A406). Traffic lights and speed restriction signs are just visible beyond the first row of houses. Beyond the junction, Long Lane is level past the fire station (out of shot on the right) before descending to Montpelier Road. It climbs again in the distance to the junction with Squires Lane before continuing to Church End. Widening of the A406 was planned at this time and the terraced houses in the nearest row were under threat of demolition. To see the same view in 2006 go to http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/192802

Long Lane as it is today. The A406 crosses on a bridge, masking the view beyond. The cottage style terrace has survived but the larger terraced houses closest to the junction have not and neither has the Lombardy Poplar, one of a row along the old 3 lane A406. The Copper Beech has grown well - it was a sapling in 1984 - and the telephone pole has leant a bit! New junctions on the right are Maddison Close and Font Hills. To see things as they were in 1984 go to http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/192787

The embankment on the right carries the North Circular Road as it climbs to cross the Northern Line, which is hidden behind the vegetation at the end of the road. The sunset marks the end of a pleasant autumn day.

Looking across the Northern Line at the site of the bridge that carried the lane across the railway. On the opposite side, the lane continues down to join Long Lane between Manor Cottage Approach and Chamberlain Road. The bridge was built in the 1860's and demolished in the 1960's after the lane had fallen into disuse. The abutments of the bridge now carry number W987 for maintenance purposes.

Train of 1938 stock for High Barnet, running through the cutting adjacent to Manor Cottage Approach. Withdrawal of the 1938 stock, which had been in service on the Northern Heights branch since its electrification, began in the mid 1970's. In the middle distance, the trackside cables deviate from their straight course. There was a bridge over the line at this point carrying Green Lane, the truncated remains of which join Long Lane. Photograph taken from the A406 North Circular Road.

View of the dogleg end at the junction with Long Lane. The closest Building dates to 1898. I recall the white building was an off-licence and shop in the early 1960's (it wasn't white then). It may have been a public House prior to that.

View across gardens behind the flats at the end of Briar Close showing the proximity of the Northern Line and the bridge carrying the North Circular Road over the railway. Despite it being November, the driver of the train feels the sun is warm enough to warrant having the cab door open.

In 1975 the A406 North Circular road was a leafy 3 lanes wide. London Transport RF385 on the westbound 212 has just crossed the junction with Long Lane and is climbing towards the bridge over the Northern Line.