PENNINE WAY AND CALDERDALE WAY AT COLDEN

Today was Day Three on this Pennine Way job. On Day 1 we cut back the path, began clearing the steps and replaced some rotten risers. On Day 2 we continued the cut back and cleared more steps in preparations for today's session which was to finish clearing the steps, doing more cutting back and re-stoning the tread areas. 

Nic, Jan, Jerry, Stella and Rich arrived to find a one tonne bag of 'crusher-run' delivered to the path by a local farmer - many thanks. 

This work was funded by a partnership between Natural England and Calderdale Highways. 

It was a warm day of . . . up and down the path . .  . with wheelbarrow, trugs, shovels, rakes and a heavy tamper. 

 

Very different to Day 1 when we arrived!

The second job we tackled was on the Calderdale Way where a very overgrown section was forcing people to deviate from the paved path. 

Before and after

 

Many thanks to Heptonstall Parish Council for funding this job. 
 

BLACKSHAW HEAD - cutting back on the Pennine Bridle Way

 CROWS have been contracted to cut back a number of stretches of the Pennine Bridle Way (PBW) in our patch.

Today, RJ and Kasher completed the last two sections which we needed to do for the 2026 season. First stop was the small section of the PBW near Land Farm (BS BW 012 - Sunderland Lane). Whilst there we also cut back the brambles along most of Dark Lane (BS FP 005).

We then moved onto the PBW section on BS BW 070. We often wonder why we always leave this long, steep section until late in the season. It's a hard job in this heat. We also regret having to cut back many of the blackberries which are now starting to fill. There will, however, still be plenty of fruit for people to gather.

Today's work on BS BW 070 and 012 was funded by Lancashire County Council on behalf of the Pennine Bridleway. Many thanks to all for your support in helping to keep open the footpaths and bridleways of the Upper Calder Valley.

The section of the PBW which was trimmed today is marked by the blue "pin".

The section of the PBW from Dove Scout down towards Jumble Hole.

The PBW near Land Farm (before).

Dark Lane 

The PBW near Land Farm (after).

The top of BS 070 near Dove Scout.

Cutting back along BS BW 070.

A hard to find PBW post.

The top of BS 070 (after).

RJ attacking the brambles.

DODD NAZE: Heavy-duty digging for a stile!

On an ever-warming summer's day, Ian S, Steve and Frank H worked on replacing a one-step stile on the right-of-way (Wadsworth 079) that forms part of the path that goes NE from Manor Drive (on the Dodd Naze estate) towards Sandy Gate (see Map).

1. Worksite marked by blue 'pin'.

The problem:

The original stile looked like this:

2. View from Manor Drive side:

3. View from Field side:

This much overgrown one-step stile had a very long, partly rotten, sagging treadboard wedged at one end into a stone pillar 'keyhole' (picture 2) and supported at the other by a decayed step leg. 

Additionally the top-rail was far too high above the step treadboard, and the right-hand side-post (picture 3), which doubled as part of the stockfencing structure, had some evidence of decay.

The solution:

i)  Cut-back overgrowth

ii)  Brace the weak side-post with a vertical stob and a diagonal strut.

iii) Dig out the field-side step leg, dig a new hole for a Manor Drive-side step leg and install two new step legs to accommodate a slightly higher treadboard.

iv) Lower the top rail very slightly and embed 'take-off/landing stones to act as 'first' steps.

v)  Put a protective sleeve over the exposed barbed wire where it is attached to the right-hand side-post (picture 2).

Phew! Here's how the job went:

4. First tasks: Overgrowth cleared. Stile side-post
braced vertically and diagonally.

5. Out with the old: Decayed 
treadboard and step-leg removed

The excavation of holes for new step legs was a prolonged and very strenuous task. The remnants of the field-side leg were deeply and firmly buried. The new hole on the other side revealed remnants of two old legs also deeply and firmly buried! 

Two + hours later after much barring, digging, battering and the cunning use of hauling straps the old timbers were out and the new step-legs installed. Take-off/landing stones were embedded and the approach area to the stile was tidied.

6. In with the new i : Manor Drive side view.

7. In with the new ii : Field side view.

Today's job was funded by Calderdale Ramblers and General Donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your support. Enjoy using the stile.

Today was energy-sapping and a disproportionate amount of time (and effort) was expended before any progressive construction work could begin. It was a relief to finished the task and finally start ferrying tools and spare timbers back to the vehicle . . . but . . . 

8. "Hi Steve, Going right here instead of left is
the shortest way back to the vehicle . . ."
"Steve! Steve!, I said right not left . . . 
. . . Ah, well! Enjoy the walk! Mmm!"

 More in a week or two when it might be steps near Hebden Water. Good for a lunchtime paddle?

Ryburn - Steps on the disused railway path.

This was the follow-up visit from Friday the 10th to replace the rotted, lower section of a flight of steps, leading from the path atop the embankment, down to the path that follows the old railway line. A map showing the actual location is on the previous Blog. Again, this work has been funded by the "Ripponden Community Crowd Funder", organised by Rebecca Dixon. A huge thankyou to Rebecca and all who donated.

Getting to the site was a bit of a long carry of materials and equipment for Jak, Jerry, Graham, Rich, Angus and new volunteer Sean (on his first taster session). However, many hands make light work!

With everything on site, Jerry, Graham and Angus set about dismantling the lower section of the steps, Jak did some cutting back along the footpath, whilst Rich and Sean inspected a drainage issue along the side of the old railway bed.

The flight of steps showing the damaged bottom section.

The problem was that the bottom four steps, along with the lower sections of the supporting stringers had succumbed to years of bad weather and the build-up of mud, moss and vegetation had eventually rotted-out the timbers. On the first visit, Jak and Jerry had cleared the worst of the rotten steps and put temporary 'stepping stones' in place, along with a couple of grab posts to help walkers traverse this section.

Today, we removed the lower section completely, unearthed the buried bottom step, fitted two new lengths of wood to the end of the stringers and installed four new steps. This should extend the life of this flight of steps for a few more years . . .after which a complete replacement will be needed.

Lower section now removed.

New stringer sections in place and attached to the original construction.

With the stringer extensions in place, we set about measuring and fixing the new treadboards. These were set at 250 mm spacing (rather than the original 300 mm) so that the descent became easier - especially for youngsters, the elderly . . . and dogs with short legs!

New section starting to take shape. There's plenty of measuring and cutting.

 

The finished steps and the first canine user with his human!

While the work on the steps was in progress, Rich, Sean and Graham uncovered several sections of the old drainage ditch running along side the original railway bed. There are several points along this section which becomes waterlogged during the winter, so this was a good opportunity to carry out preventative maintenance. Having completed their drainage work for the day, Rich and Sean headed to Risworth to cut-back some overgrowth on a footpath, which had been requested by Calderdale Highways.

Before and after images of the drainage channel, plenty more to do!

Following the line of the Riverside path, this is a great walk along what must have been (before the 'Beeching Axe') a spectacular railway line. There are still several examples of impressive bridge construction and deep cuttings through the rock along this line from Sowerby Bridge to its termination at Slithero Bridge.

All work closely monitored by a local resident.

All in all it was a successful session. Sean seemed to enjoy his first day with CROWS. He will work with other teams at Todmorden and Mytholmroyd as part of his induction. Hopefully, we will see a lot more of him.

 

TODMORDEN - A day of many tasks

 There was a team of seven out from Todmorden today.

The main task of the day was to build a new two-step stile on a fence line crossing Tod 095 above Lydgate.  All of the team carried timber and tools for this work which we delegated to Frank H, Dunstan and Gareth! Please see the separate Blog for their exploits.

After carrying items needed for the stile across an exceptionally slippery hillside, the team of four (Andrew, Catherine, Kasher and Neil Mc) then tried to locate the elusive Tod 095 as it plummeted down the hillside, emerging onto the main Burnley Road immediately opposite Lydgate Post Office. We have cut-back this route and trimmed a path which should make it easier to follow. We are extremely grateful to 'persons unknown' for cutting back the first section of the path - you did an amazing job!

We will need to return to firm up a few yellow-topped posts along this route.

The team then split up with Kasher and Neil Mc going to Cornholme and fettling-up the seat on Pudsey Road. This bench was installed in memory of one of our CROWS colleagues who died in 2020. The wooden seat was sanded down and then given a new coat of wood preservative/stain. It now looks so much better. Sit awhile, admire the views, look at the nearby harebells and remember Gerald King.

Andrew and Catherine travelled to Bridestones to work on an open access stile (between Bridestones and Golden Stones) which had been reported as being slightly loose. The team have firmed-up this stile and levelled the treadboard to make it even easier to use!.

The quartet then met up to finish the cutting back on Tod BW 059 and Tod FP 059 from the 'dinosaur' at Shore to Pitts. We have had two previous work parties on this route and this session completes our work here for this summer. The route is clear and much easier to use. However, if you are walking this way please take some secateurs to cut-back the fast-growing brambles!

Today's work has been jointly funded by Calderdale Highways and by Todmorden Wind Farm through CFFC (Community Foundation for Calderdale). Many thanks.

The path from the main road in Lydgate up towards the new stile.

Stile repairs at Bridestones.

Cutting-back the path between Shore and Pitts.

Cutting-back on Tod 095 above Lydgate:

Catherine clearing the steps at the bottom of Tod 095.

Andrew and Catherine trying to clarify the 
direction of the path.

Cutting back . . .  Andrew and Neil Mc in action.

Brilliant views from this path.

The bench on Pudsey Road

Clearing the vegetation from near Gerald's seat . . .
taking care to avoid the harebells.

The fettled-up seat. The 'wet paint' signs have now been removed!

Sorting out the Bridestones Stile

Andrew: and "where do we start with this??"

Progress has been made. A strengthened upright and
an easier to use stile.

Cutting back between Shore and Pitts

Neil: the final section to be cut back.

The FP to Pitts (before)

The FP to Pitts (after).

The final section of the bridleway now cut-back.