TODMORDEN - New PRoW off Pudsey Rd, Cornholme (session 4)

 A new Right of Way has recently been added to the Definitive Map. This path (Todmorden 216) runs from Pudsey Road, in Cornholme, up towards Obadiah Wood and from there along the field edge towards to a covered reservoir on Shore New Road/Pudding Lane. (see Map).

There were four people working today (David, Frank H, Mick and Kasher). We were tasked with widening the path and installing more 4.8 m lengths of revetment at the far end of the route which contours gracefully around the hillside above Cornholme. 

More sections of revetment will be needed and we will then retrace our steps to see if any other sections require further widening or strengthening of edges.  Hopefully, these tasks can be tackled over the next couple of weeks. 

It was good to see some walkers along this route today on what is becoming a safer path for young and old alike! 

Many thanks to the resident on Pudsey Road who has kindly allowed use of his yard for timber storage. 

This work has been funded by Active Calderdale. Many thanks.

1. Map:  Location of new PRoW recently added to the Definitive map.

2. Work begins: Frank H cutting out the groove
for the first piece of revetment of the day.

3. First section installed:  David now
on path widening

4. Second section in place:
Mick in action - "Drill, baby drill!"

                                   

5 The final section for today:  digging it in to ensure
it abuts to the previous revetment board.

6. The long view: The new path is beginning to
take shape . . . but as a  reminder of
its original state, we have . . . 

7 Original state: narrow, sloping, fragmented
and worse in reality than the picture suggests!

                                    

8. End of the day: Equipment back to the
vehicles - the carry is getting further and further!

This was a most productive but strenuous session. The sun shone so the day started warm, became hot then even hotter! Every drop of water we had was consumed . . . and we could have done with more! The views down into Cornholme village and up the valley were extensive and interesting.

The path is taking shape - we know what is needed ahead and where, on existing stretches some additional work would be useful. More next week in what is forecast to be similarly fine conditions.

TODMORDEN - New PRoW off Pudsey Road, Cornholme (Session 3)

A new Right of Way has recently been added to the Definitive Map. This path (Todmorden 216) runs from Pudsey Road, in Cornholme, up towards Obadiah Wood and from there along the field edge towards to a covered reservoir on Shore New Road/Pudding Lane. (see Map).

There were four people working on this path today (Paul, RJ, Catherine and Kasher). We were tasked with adding in more revetments and widening the path. The ground has dried up considerably since last Friday's work party. It was interesting to see how last week's work has settled and how much the widened path had been used.

We installed four new sections of revetment today . . . still many many more to go!

This is an extended project so we will be returning to carry out similar work and some step construction (as needed) before finally waymarking the route.

Many thanks to the resident on Pudsey Road who has kindly allowed use of his yard for timber storage. 

This work has been funded by Active Calderdale. Many thanks.

1. Map: The new PRoW in Cornholme.

2. Paul, at the beginning of the day, contemplating 
the first section of revetment to be sorted.

3. It's not easy walking on this narrow sloping
path. Widening yet to be done.

4. RJ and Paul hammering in the
stobs that anchor the revetment.

5. One more section of revetment installed
and path widening in progress.

6. RJ and Paul: More widening and levelling.

7. The line of the path has been changed. Previously, the path 
was narrow, sloping and disappearing down the slope!

8. Even more of the same - wider, levelled and
supported at the edge by revetment.

RIPPONDEN - Krumlin

Charlie and Jak worked on the footpath at Wood Head, clearing it before summer growth. It’s a delightful path leading down a pretty clough to Black Brook. Today's work was funded by donations to CROWS.

After clearing

After clearing

WADSWORTH - Crimsworth Dean

The footpath known as Wadsworth 036 starts from Wheat Ing and runs south along Crimsworth Dean towards Pecket Well. Today in the sunshine it was looking particularly good with owl, heron, curlew, and chiffchaff to be seen or heard. A team of four: Andrew, Frank S, Guy, and Steve were working to improve the path and make it easier for walkers. This included a new marker post half-way down the drive to Wheat Ing, lots of drainage work to clear the water off the flooded causey stones, cutting back of conifers and holly, and adding staples to a boardwalk to give walkers a better grip.

This work was funded by Old Town Post Office donations. Thank you for your support.

Thanks also to Wheat Ing for allowing us to park in your driveway.

The causey stones - over-grown and under water

Causey stones now clearer and nearly dry!

Cutting back conifers that were obstructing the path

The boardwalk with staples and newly cleared stone steps.

Stone steps past a little waterfall, now cleared of obstructions

COLDEN: Edge Lane - neatest gate in town?

 Edge Lane gate

In idyllic conditions, Frank H and Andy, embarked on the task of installing a pedestrian gate at a narrow, stone, squeeze-gap on the footpath (Heptonstall 035) that leads off Edge Lane some 75 m beyond May's Shop! (see Map ).

1. Map: The yellow dot marks the worksite

Today's work on the gate was funded by the landowner. Many thanks.

The Detail.

Access from Edge Lane to the path that goes north-east below Hot Stones Delph, is through a much mortared stone squeeze-gap. (see Photo 2)

2. At the start: It's a gap . . . and it's a squeeze!

Temporarily, the gap was being made sheep-proof by two plastic barriers that were so substantial that they gave the impression that the path was blocked off! CROWS pondered several alternative solutions including a stile in the gap and a stile (with side-rails) on the approach to the gap before settling on the best option of a pedestrian gate.

Fortunately, on testing the ground, a suitable point was found (just) where the hinge-post could be embedded to the required depth. The work begins . . . 

3. Hole digging: - 750 mm minimum, Andy!

4. Later: Hinge-post in place, gate attached and 
closure spring torsioned to give a neat fit.

5. Even later: closure loop in place and side-rails
attached to deter those pesky woolly jumpers!

Overall, once we had fine-tuned plan A, the task was relatively straightforward and we had enough time to check on two stiles further along Edge Lane as well as giving some thought to a section of fencework on Hot Lane - this latter item may be tackled in a week or two . . . especially if the weather is a repeat of today's warm, sunny, blue-skied offering!