SLACK - path surveying

 Billie and Rich surveyed several paths in Slack using the Calderdale Highways survey done last summer. As well as checking issues in the area for future work, we wanted to see how we might be able to use the council survey tool in the future.

8 waymark posts were missing and three paths needed cutting back, so well worth it.

So what do I press now?

This is not on my plan!

RYBURN - Stile adjacent A58

Two of the CROWS Neils - Mc. and M. - spent today reconstructing a stile on the north side of the A58, one mile E. of the Turvin Road turnoff. Mick was with us initially to ensure we arrived at the right place and knew what we were doing. 

No Right of Way here but the stile provides a way through fencing on to open access land.

This work was funded by donations to CROWS.

 Detail

A standard-type stile rebuild. One tread was out altogether and the other was wobbly. Whoever fixed the cross rails must have had a defective spirit level.

We dismantled the structure, preserving only the two lower cross rails for reuse. Meanwhile Mick conducted the brass band that had accompanied us.

 We set new legs firmly into the peaty ground. In fixing the tread-board we found that it impacted an old crosspiece close to the ground, so a notch had to be cut.

Once the tread-boards were in place there was no more to do than nail the three cross rails.

Job done except that we rounded off by rendering harmless a few of the barbs on the fence to the side closest to the stile. (British Standard 5709 for Gaps, Gates and Stiles, Rule 7: "No barbed wire ... within one metre of the structure or the manoeuvring space.") With thanks to all members of the public who donate to CROWS and help to fund all these jobs.

TODMORDEN: WARLAND TO GADDINGS

 Warland to Gaddings: (aka 'swamp central')

The footpath (Todmorden 152) part of which goes from Warland Reservoir to Gaddings Dam, was originally well-constructed with large flat flagstones recycled from the floors of old mills. In places, however, parts of this path have shifted out of line or sunk completely into the peat bogs. The task for today's teams was to sort out some of these problems.

Team 1 comprising Kasher, Neil M and Jak concentrated on re-positioning flagstones before joining Team 2 (Jerry, Jan, Andy, Ian S and Frank H) in the construction of a boardwalk across a particularly horrendous bog into which the path had totally disappeared.

The surveying and preparatory work for these jobs was funded by the 'Todmorden Wind Farm Fund' (accessed through CFFC - the 'Community Foundation for Calderdale'). The construction of the boardwalk was funded by Calderdale Council Highways. Many thanks.

Here's the area where we were working:

Footpath Todmorden 152 goes from Warland Reservoir (bottom right) to Gaddings Dam (top centre)

The Detail:

The day started with a timber delivery to the depot from the ever reliable CALVAG who then loaded their wagon with all the items (stringers, cross-treads, handrail posts, cross-rails, stobs, edge trims and sundry timbers) essential for the construction of a boardwalk. All tools and fixings were carried in other vehicles sturdy enough to cope with the reservoir's vehicle track! 

At the northwest end of Warland Reservoir all items were unloaded and most timbers transferred to an ATV (skillfully driven by a local farmer) for onward transport to the worksite. Other timbers and all tools etc were carried in by CROWS volunteers. Mmm! Heroic!

Here's the progress:

1.The delivery:

Boardwalk stringers (6 m x 200 mm x 100 mm) being
fixed to ATV prior to dragging to worksite.

Fully loaded with bags of cross-treads etc.

Thanks, CALVAG. On time as usual and always helpful.

2i. The work: Resetting flags

Team 1 acted initially as sherpas to help Team 2 get all items to the main worksite before starting on their stint of path repair. Here's how their work went:

a) This is the state of parts of the path in wet conditions!

b) Working on misaligned flagstones.

c) Levering and levelling.

d) Time for a break. Call that a biscuit . .  .
. . .  we expected something larger!

e) Edge trimming . . .
. . . but don't slip, Kasher, that's deep water!

f) Path now neat and stable!

2ii.The work: Building a boardwalk.

Team 2 had the interesting task of constructing a boardwalk over part of the bog shown above in picture a). Fortunately, the recent (few) days of warm weather meant the bog had dried considerably from its state of winter wetness and there was just enough firm footing to manoeuvre the long and heavy stringers into position but . . . one slip and you were into a couple of metres of mud!

Here's the work sequence:

a) Stringers - already pre-prepared in the workshop - being aligned
for transfer onto sound flagstones at either end of the boggy section.

b) Noggins (they maintain stringer separation
and stability) being fixed in place.

c) More noggins in place, handrail posts being checked
and securing bolts tightened.

d) Flags being drilled to receive anchoring brackets.

e) Cross-treads being nailed in place.

f) Additional anchoring of the stringer. The pole
that Jerry is handling is partly hammered-in. It
will eventually be flush to the top of the stringer.
The pole was 2.4 m (8') long!

g) Side rails (for one side of the boardwalk only) being
aligned and screw-bolted in place.

h) Nearly there: End sections and additional bracing in place with a
back-drop of a magnificent panorama under a lowering sky.

i) Completed boardwalk over a lethal bog. End step-over
rails in place to deter livestock and perhaps remind
cyclists that it is a footpath and not a bridleway!

j) Final 'stress test'. Hopefully, Neil will be able
to straighten-up by tomorrow!

Today was a long session partly because we were working on precarious ground, partly because of unexpected technical difficulties with the drill but mainly because the extra hour or so saved our having to return tomorrow for a second session (when rain was more likely).

We were pleased with the outcome and the boardwalk is safe, sturdy, functional, aesthetically pleasing and (within the limits of South Pennine conditions!) should be durable. 

Many thanks to Mr Barker for his help and ATV driving skills to get a very heavy load of timber across the rough moorland, and to United Utilities for arranging access.

HEBDEN BRIDGE - Paths around Dodd Naze

After several discussions with local residents and Hurst Meadow people, Billie, Frank S, Ginny and Rich went to do two jobs:

• waymark the main paths on the North side of the Dodd Naze estate which have seen less use recently because of the considerable overgrowth and the lack of clear waymarking. 
• clear the path down to High Hirst Meadow to maintain the disabled access

By the end of the day we had put in four waymark posts and cut back the vegetation at the 'entrances' to three of the paths.

Ginny single-handedly cleared the path down to High Hirst Meadow, revealing the full original width. 

Today's work was funded by a individual donation to CROWS.

The details

The path reduced by turf to half the previous width ...

 

Ginny at work with the shears ...

... the path now wider and with a new waymark post.

The next path overgrown with raspberries, etc. ...

... now opened up and given a new waymark post.

The third path beside the overgrown picnic table.

The table now cleared . . . and being put to use.

An overgrown bench awaiting a visit with the brush cutter.

Next steps:

We will come back with brush cutters in a few weeks (after nesting will be over) and clear all the paths making them much wider. We will also carryout improvements on the path down to Birchcliffe. 

The aim then is to create a partnership between High Hirst Meadow and local residents to ensure these paths stay open by cutting them back these paths twice a year.

TRIANGLE - Woodlands and Dodge Royd Wood

Ginny, Billie, Lynda and Rich went to cut back and waymark two sections of the Sowerby Bridge Heritage Walk. Today's work which completes the project, was funded by Sowerby Bridge Town Board. 

The details

The first job was to complete the cutting back of the path from Woodlands up to the school. 

Clearing up the bottom section

Then on to Dodge Royd Wood to put in two waymark posts.

A fine pair of gateposts . . . but with no purpose!

Path originally not waymarked at all; now both ends done.

Part of the path through this lovely wood

Finally we went back to Ripponden to look at a path to the disused railway. Some vandalised steps had been removed for safety reasons, making the access unclear and difficult. We will consult Calderdale Highways on a plan to rectify the situation.

The footpath goes over this fine bridge