Another ancient route runs from what was Low Hall Manor, Walthamstow to Lea Bridge,
and is still followed by the ‘Black Path’ cycle track. It roughly lines up with
a reasonably straight route from Hackney Town Hall south-west along Hackney Grove,
Martello Street, Broadway Market and Goldsmith’s Row. This was sometimes called
‘Porters’ Way’. The down to earth reason for people using that route would be to
cross the River Lea where the Bridge was later built, or to bring wheat for grinding
at a water mill there. Porters’ Way changes direction slightly at several points
which makes me doubt an alignment with a rising or setting sun, moon, planet or constellation.
