TODMORDEN - The cutting back continues....

 Kasher and RJ continued the cutting back (on Tod 027) which we started a fortnight ago. We have now cut back the route from Hey Head Lane to Scrapers Lane. 

We also went to check out and measure up for a job near to Folly Dam where a set of steps need attention.

Cutting back near Scrapers Lane.

Checking out a forthcoming job near Folly Dam.

The section previously cut back is now looking good
and is much easier for bikes and horses.

Significant trimming of the trees is needed
as this is a bridleway.

Re-emerging onto Scrapers Lane and uncovering
hidden marker posts.

RJ . . . and still more trees to trim!

RJ finding somewhere in the shade for lunch . . 

. . 

. . and then off to sort out some more cutting back.

RJ checking out the issues with the steps
and revetment near Folly Dam.

The small set of steps in need of some TLC.

MIDGLEY: A double act on double stiles

 Midgley: New Heath Head

On a day when the temperature rose steadily into the low 30oC, Ian S and Frank carried out significant remedial work to the two stiles where the right-of-way (Sowerby Bridge 018) runs NW/SE across the access lane to New Heath Head. (see map)

1. Worksites marked with blue 'pin'.

This well-used path has stiles on either side of the lane leading to New Heath Head. 

The NW stile:

The stile on the NW side had three rotten step-legs, very narrow flimsy treadboards and an extremely high top rail. Negotiating the latter was made even more awkward because it was part of fence railing which had been installed parallel to the sloping ground - a visually pleasing effect but less convenient for stile users!

Although nothing could be done about the slope of the top rail, effective remedial work could be carried out by installing new step-legs, adjusting the step heights and replacing both treadboards. Digging out the 'stumps' of the old legs was a particularly arduous task as the residual timber was firmly buried into the extremely hard ground.

Work progressed  as follows:

2. Digging out: "Is this a stump I see before me?"

3. Success: Rotten stumps all round!

4. New step-legs: In place with cross-bracing.

5. View from Lane side: New treadboards in place.

6. View from Field side: but will it take a load?

7. . .  . never in doubt. Not a creak from the 
stile . . . which is more than can
be said about Frank!

The SE Stile:

After lunch and the consumption of  two flasks of iced water (many thanks to New Heath Head), a similar battle was waged against the SE one-step stile. 

8. Before: One weak step and a
far-too-high top rail!

Fortunately, the ground conditions were more amenable and a second (higher) step was installed to make this stile easier to negotiate. The original lower step was left in place but has been 'earmarked' for replacement.

9. View from Lane side: Work so far . . .

10. View from Field side: work so far . . .

The lower step is too narrow and has rot in one of the legs, It will be replaced. As well as the stile repair, we cut back encroaching Hawthorn bushes and tidied the approaches to the stiles. 

Time, then, to drink more water, beat a retreat to the depot, sort out the tools, put the battery on charge, then go home to observe (safely) the partial solar eclipse . . . 

11. Partial solar eclipse

and (for those who can stay up that late) to enjoy the Perseid meteor shower!

12. Perseid meteor shower

Today's work was funded by Midgley Community Forum. Many thanks for your support.

More in a week or so when we'll be 'nose to the ground' rather than 'eyes to the heavens'!

Stubbing Brink to Horsehold Road. Hebden Bridge

 Another hot sunny day, and Guy, Nic and Stella went clear the  beautiful walled and cobbled path which goes steeply up the hill from the valley bottom at Stubbing Brink almost to Horsehold.  I think that path will have seen a lot of "traffic" going up and down the hill in its time - not least because it is a quick route down to the Stubbing Wharf pub on the canal.  There is a fine flight of stone steps at the bottom.  At the top in the woods the path is more open and it emerges onto Horsehold Road via some steps which are not quite so fine. 

The path gets very overgrown with ferns, grass, nettles, Himalayan balsam, brambles, and escaped raspberry canes. Our job today was to clear the overgrowth and make a clear route.  Blackberries and raspberries provided sustenance . . . a zillion pesky flies provided company!

The path

The steps before

The path before

The steps after

The path after

Bare cobbles can get slippery and it's always debatable how much to clear. In this very dry weather they should be fine and when (if!) it gets wet the wall is there to steady any walkers.  We left more grass higher up where the wall offers less support.  There is more cutting back to do right at the top which we'll come back to.

Today's job was funded from donations to CROWS, for which we are always very grateful.

WADSWORTH

Dike Lane near Little Nook

Steve and Paul were out today building a boardwalk over a small stream on Dike Lane (Wadsworth 061). We parked at Little Nook and from there it was a long carry in with two lengthy stringers and three bags of timber plus the tools for the job. 

site marked in red pen

Work funded by Wadsworth Parish Council - thank you for your ongoing support.

Also a big thank you to Steve and Jane at Little Nook for Parking permission and cups of tea!

The problem

A small rivulet running across the path has eroded and widened over the years and the gap has become difficult for walkers to cross. We assembled the boardwalk by fixing the two seven foot stringers in place over the gap and then nailed in twelve cross treads.

Job completed

We will return at some point to fix two kickboards either end and hammer in a few staples for safer tread during the winter months.

 

RYBURN - two overgrown lanes

A big gang of Kris, Ginny, Andy, Richard, Rich, Jerry worked on two sites - a Bridleway off Kennel Lane and Bird Lane between Rochdale Road and Ripponden Old Lane. Today's work was funded by Calderdale Highways. 

KENNEL LANE

A lovely old bridleway which had become overgrown with the usual suspects! Additionalloy overhead growth make it difficult for horse riders. 

The scene when we arrived 

 

After we left

BIRD LANE

Strangely designated as a footpath, but with all the same issues as the previous job (no before photo, but it was bad!) 

 

Amazing what you find under the foliage, including a broken stile

Now it looks like a path

 It is now easily walkable but we will need to return to fix two stiles, install a waymark post and do more uncovering of a drain.