Ryburn - Footpath along Blackshaw Clough

This footpath leads off a bend in the road over the bridge opposite the livery stables at Clough House farm, on Blackshaw Clough Road. Whilst still in use, it has been sadly neglected, being overgrown with tree branches and subject to flooding as a result of choke points in the clough. Today's work has been funded through donations to CROWS. A big 'thank you' to all who have donated.

The section highlighted in blue was today's work area.

Armed with shears, saws and loppers, Andy, Jerry and Angus set about cutting back the overhanging branches and clearing debris from the clough to improve water flow and thus reducing the potential for flooding the footpath. This has previously happened on the lower section of the path, which was still sodden and had to be drained.

The lower section of the path, near its exit onto the road.

Further up the clough, the overhanging branches became a problem.

Though, once cleared, the path soon opened up.

Removing the branches will also help the path to dry out.

The path then splits. To the right, it crosses a stile and follows the line of the clough whereas, to the left, it crosses a small footbridge, leading towards Great Merry Bent Farm. Both the stile and the footbridge are in good order, but the metal handrail on the footbridge has been crushed at one end by a fallen tree - a new wooden handrail will be fitted in due course. 

We had to cut-back a fallen willow tree which had partly blocked the path. This area is very damp, and the spreading nature of the overgrowth was forcing walkers into some very boggy ground.

Before and after views to show where the willow tree was blocking the path.

A wide angle view showing the stile on the right and the footbridge on the left.

TODMORDEN and ERRINGDEN

 There were two teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: Ken and RJ completed the revetments (on Erringden 026) in Parrock Wood. On this path, there were initially three sections of revetment immediately before the bridge. We have now put in nine sections and have widened the path. This makes access to the bridge and the hillside beyond (which is a lovely bluebell wood) much easier and safer.

Team 2: Andrew, Catherine, David and Kasher worked on Long Lane/ Bean Hole bridleway (Tod BW 031)) to clear years (and years!) of mud and mulch from the worst sections. We were amazed to find a fantastic stoned surface below the accumulated mud, leaf mould and horse manure!

We also tried to sort out the stream which crosses the track at the far end of bridleway . . .  this is still a 'work in progress'.

Many thanks to the residents of Bean Hole Head for allowing us to park in their yard, just metres away from the start of the bridleway.

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS and by Cragg Runners' "The Moors the Merrier" event in late 2025.

We will need to come back to remove the mud and mulch at the end of this route nearest to Matthew Lane . . .  and to have another go at sorting out the stream!

Team 1:

The location of the work on the revetments near Parrock Clough.

The revetment and path a month ago . . .

The widened and levelled path with revetments.

The improved path before the stile.

Team 2: 

The blue "pin" marks Long Lane, the site of today's work party.

The bridleway showing heavy usage by bikes.

Years of accumulated leaves.

Catherine and Andrew: different techniques towards
the same goal . . . getting rid of the mulch.

David, Andrew and Catherine: shovelling techniques
in action.

David and Andrew: Mmm! Time for a different plan.

Andrew, Kasher and David: wondering why they
signed up for this Friday's work party.

Andrew: happy in his work!

Trying to find a drain.

Catherine developing her drainage expertise.

TODMORDEN - Various

 A fantastic day to be out! Duncan and Kasher spent the day doing a number of small tasks in the Todmorden area . . .  but unfortunately as soon as we manage to "tick off" the jobs from the to-do list we find others to replace them!

We initially dropped timber at a worksite for one of Friday's work parties.

We then returned to Ashenhust to replant more willow that will assist with natural flood management on the hillside. We had worked in this area a few weeks ago to dig drainage ditches, plant willow cuttings, sort out sand bags etc. Unfortunately the willow in one section of the hillside had been pulled up (and put down the drain!) and the sandbags had been emptied with the sand being put down the drain. The drain had subsequently overflowed and the water had caused problems on the nearby narrow footpath, Tod 029. We do hope that this second attempt will be more successful.

After a drive to above Cornholme we replaced a marker post near Springs on the TCW. This marker post had only been replaced in January 2024 so it was rather annoying to have to replace it again so soon, especially as it was a long way to walk with a post, a bar, a spade, etc etc. Hopefully this new post will last longer.

Many thanks to Dave Halley for providing the willow used today. Thanks too to the walkers who reported today's issues to us. We really do appreciate your help.

Today's work has been funded by donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your assistance in maintaining our RoWs.

Another job to add to the "to do" list: a bridleway
gate near Hartley Royd.

Some of the willow cuttings appear to be starting to 
come into leaf.

More willows were planted in the very wet areas.

The sandbags refilled and replaced.

The rotten marker post to be replaced.

Duncan clearing the hole for the new marker post.

The new marker post in position.

Colden: Edge Lane - Stile

 Colden, Edge Lane - stile

On a gloriously clear, warm (and getting warmer!) Spring day, Ian S and Frank H worked on the right-of-way Heptonstall 025 where it leads up from Lower Fold to cross Edge Lane. At this point (see map) there is a wobbly stile and then the path heads North East before trending East (ish) to pass behind a ruined dam.

1. Position of stile needing extensive work. 

The Detail

2. Stile before work began.

At first glance this seems to be a reasonable structure . . . but closer examination revealed:

i)   All vertical posts (bar one) are totally rotten at ground level.

ii)  Both treadboards are damaged.

iii) The left-hand side-post is ingeniously anchored by a twist of baler twine weighted down by a wall capping stone before being tied to a fence post on the other side of the drystone wall!

iv) The right-hand side-post is held in place by a short batten linking it to the substantial railway-sleeper gate post.

Mmm! Time for a complete re-build. The work begins:

3. Several whacks with a lump hammer, later!

4. Rotten ends - a few examples

5. Progress: New left-hand side-post, re-cycled
right-hand side-post, temporary cross-rail
and a step leg being tested for alignment.

6. End result: View from Edge Lane side.

7. End result: View from field side.

We were pleased with the end result. The stile's width is constrained by wall and gate-post and its access is partly screened by the telegraph pole. However, careful alignment of the steps now makes it much easier to negotiate and new cross-rails are correctly spaced to deter livestock. 

All it needs now is a load test  . .  .

8. Testing, testing: . . . but don't step over, Ian,
until we've moved the drill!

Some of this work was heavy going. The original posts and legs were not all installed deeply enough, so we had to batter holes into rocky, resistant ground to improve hole depth - sweat flowed freely and layer after layer of  clothing was shed! However, the sky was blue, the views extensive and much appreciation was expressed by numerous cyclists, runners, walkers and local residents who passed along the lane.

The work was funded by a donation from The 'Moors the Merrier Fell Race' (Cragg Runners). Many thanks for your support.

PENNINE WAY

Pennine Way path:

 Several issues were identified in last year's survey. Today, a team of five - Guy, Andy, Paul, Jan and Rich - went to deal with a few drainage problems and carry out some waymarking. This work was funded by a partnership between Natural England and Calderdale Highways. 

The session started with a long carry of tools and materials from Withens Clough to the work sites - luckily with glorious blue sky and sunshine. 

 The first problem was water and mulch crossing the path (even after this spell of dry weather).

 As well as scraping off the path, we tried to tackle the source of the problem by directing surface water into a nearby drain. The area was covered with moss and sedge, so the aim was to deal with the water without compromising the ecology. 

Three people with spades and scrapers put in a number of channels.  

 Meanwhile, two CROWS went off towards Stoodley Pike to try and 'encourage' people not to walk on the eroded peat by putting in three yellow-topped guide posts on the 'dry' line of the path. 

 

After installing them, which involved a lot of 'to-ing and fro-ing' about the correct positions, we were delighted that two runners and two walkers took the hint and used the optimum route!

Then it was beyond Stoodley Pike to deal with another drainage issue - an overflowing spring spilling water over the path. 

The water was channelled into the drain which should (we hope) prevent it from overflowing the path - a check visit will be needed. 

The final job was to waymark the path running alongside Sunderland Pasture. 

 A long day with a long carry, but a brief stop at the Robin Hood was restorative!