A FASCINATING historic artefact discovered during roadworks is to be rejuvenated and permanently displayed after the improvement works are completed.

The structure - a large metal crown - was unearthed by Howard Civil Engineering during the major ongoing restructuring project at Greengates Crossroads.

It was found on the site of the long demolished Roebuck pub, while workers were creating a new entrance for Farmfoods last year.

The construction firm handed the mysterious artefact to the Friends of Greengates Cenotaph community group and Secretary, Michael Frazer, got to working finding out about its origins.

It turned out the structure likely had a rather important role to play in the area's history.

Mr Frazer said: "It's a cast iron crown plaque and I checked its provenance with Bradford Museums and local historians.

"Whilst neither would commit to age - they only saw images because of the pandemic - the balance of opinion is that it belongs to a toll bar, sited where The Roebuck Inn was located, on the crossroads intersection between Bradford to Harrogate and Leeds to Skipton, where taxes were levied on goods for the Crown.

"It could be 18th or early 19th century, so Georgian, but outside chance its earlier."

The crossroads improvement will hopefully alleviate long-running traffic issues in and around this popular area and the works have drastically changed the way the junction looks and will work.

But some of the community's most cherished landmarks and historic monuments - such as Greengates Cenotaph - have remained.

The question has now arisen in recent weeks as to where this latest piece of heritage might feature in modern day Greengates.

Mr Frazer said: "It's been stuck in my garage for months whilst we worked out what to do with it.

"I approached Howard Civil Engineering recently and they agreed to clean it up - sand blasting - and display it.

"I posted pictures on local facebook sites and announced Howard's generous offer and asked residents which option for display they favoured out of four potential locations."

This included, where it was dug up, Greengates Cenotaph Memorial Gardens and a small community garden at the junction of New Line and Brunswick Place.

The fourth option - a green space adjacent to the pedestrian crossing at the new junction, where volunteers are hoping to create a small garden - was the "overwhelming" choice though, according to Mr Frazer.

The community stalwart is set to meet somebody from the construction firm next Monday, to see whether this will be feasible.