A weir was made at Naburn, a mile downstream from the village, in 1741 and a 'dam' or weir and a lock were opened in 1757. As a result, this created an island on which a water-mill was later built. A second, larger, lock was constructed beside the old one in 1888 and opened by Prince Albert Victor. The York-Selby railway line crossed the River Ouse just north of the village by way of a swing bridge built in 1871. Naburn station was closed to passengers in 1953 and to goods in 1964. In 1983 the Selby Diversion was opened and the line via Naburn closed and turned into a railway path and cycle route to provide a safe and attractive route between York and Selby for pedestrians and cyclists- forming part of the Sustrans network Route 65.