Looking back at Willington Quay

This quaint row of dwellings was originally inhabited by keelmen who conveyed coal from Willington Colliery in their keel boats to collier ships.
Keelman's Row, Willington Quay.Keelman's Row, Willington Quay.
Keelman's Row, Willington Quay.

In February 1894 Dr C. Babst gave Willington Quay Sanitary Authority his report on the health of the area. He noted that the Gut had been a great nuisance due to low rainfall. Sewage had concentrated in the burn to the danger of public health.

Dr Babst stated that it was in a deplorable condition, all houses were damp and some rooms uninhabitable. He said it was impossible to improve and it would be necessary to close the whole property.

Keelman’s Row remained until spring 1932.

In those days the Gut had not been culverted and was free to meander.

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