Reclaimed Access
Reclaimed Access (work in Progress)
By the 12th century a number of Abbeys had been built along the Lancashire and Cumbria coast. The monks that inhabited these acted as guides for travellers, who wished to cross Morecambe Bay. What is less understood is that the Morecambe Bay crossing formed part of a longer route that linked Birkenhead Priory in the south with Furness Abbey, at the southern end of the Lake District. Both the landscape and route has evolved since then. Much of the original way crossed coastal marshland, which has now been drained and is used for agriculture.
Land use and ownership keep us to narrow strips of access that give us the right to pass from one destination to another but not to explore beyond this corridor. For many, travelling along these corridors of access is seen as a leisure activity and an opportunity to parade our wealth and progress. Following this historical route now, the landscape has changed considerably, with the hand of mankind firmly making its impression on many of the scenes before us. The accompanying photographic work follows the route used by the monks, as it passes through Lancashire and onto Cumbria. It aims to explore the issues of access, use and changes in the landscape.
By the 12th century a number of Abbeys had been built along the Lancashire and Cumbria coast. The monks that inhabited these acted as guides for travellers, who wished to cross Morecambe Bay. What is less understood is that the Morecambe Bay crossing formed part of a longer route that linked Birkenhead Priory in the south with Furness Abbey, at the southern end of the Lake District. Both the landscape and route has evolved since then. Much of the original way crossed coastal marshland, which has now been drained and is used for agriculture.
Land use and ownership keep us to narrow strips of access that give us the right to pass from one destination to another but not to explore beyond this corridor. For many, travelling along these corridors of access is seen as a leisure activity and an opportunity to parade our wealth and progress. Following this historical route now, the landscape has changed considerably, with the hand of mankind firmly making its impression on many of the scenes before us. The accompanying photographic work follows the route used by the monks, as it passes through Lancashire and onto Cumbria. It aims to explore the issues of access, use and changes in the landscape.
