A new walking route has been named in memory of a York man whose discovery saved countless lives.
In 1854, Dr John Snow ended a cholera outbreak by identifying a public water pump as the source.
When the handle to the pump was removed at his behest, the deadly outbreak was halted. The events proved that cholera was a water-borne disease, which eventually led to its eradication in many countries.
Today, John Snow Walk was unveiled at Hudson Quarter. The development is opposite York Station and close to North Street, where Dr Snow was born and lived until he was around 14.
Among those gathered at the ceremony were the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Chris Cullwick, and representatives of the NHS Trust, the John Snow Society and Hudson Quarter developers Palace Capital.
Chief executive of Palace Capital Neil Sinclair said:
We wanted to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr John Snow as he was a pioneer in public health and grew up so close to Hudson Quarter.
His legacy is even more relevant, give the current Covid pandemic situation and the efforts health authorities around the world are conducting at the moment.
Jimmy Whitworth, co-chair of the John Snow Society agreed:
It’s great that the ground-breaking work of Dr John Snow is being commemorated in his home city of York and his achievements fully recognised on this development, very close to where he was born.
It is the city’s second tribute to John Snow. In 2017, York Civic Trust unveiled a permanent memorial in North Street Gardens, in the form of a restored Victorian iron water pump and plaque.
Hudson Quarter, featuring 127 apartments plus office space set around a landscaped courtyard, was completed a year ago.