Ryburn - Causeway bridleway, Krumlin.

It felt more like Spring when Jak, Lynda, Graham, Jerry and Angus headed up to Krumlin near Barkisland, to attend to a drainage problem on this well-used bridleway. The issue had been reported by a local dog walker who was concerned by the amount of water running down the path making it muddy and slippery - especially in sub-zero temperatures.

Unfortunately, this bridleway, and a similar one on nearby Slack Lane, have suffered from misuse by off-roaders and errant delivery drivers causing damage to the surface and the general drainage. 

Today's work was funded by Ripponden Parish Council. Many thanks to them for their continued support.

The section of bridleway worked on is highlighted in blue.

The bridleway links Scammoden Road at Krumlin, to Saddleworth Road which runs from West Vale, over the M62 towards Saddleworth Moor. Overall, the track's surface is in good order, but water from a field drain is overflowing (hardly surprising with the amount of rain we have had over the last few weeks!). The task was to try, without compromising the integrity of the surface, to guide the water flow down one side of the track rather across its full width.

The situation with the bridleway when we arrived.

 

Getting to grips with diverting the water flow.

A consequence of the damaged and particularly boggy section of the bridleway was that users had taken to walking along the top of the banking. Additionally there was evidence of overgrown causey stones along this section which may have been the original link path between Ripponden, and Krumlin Mill.

Arial image of Krumlin Mill in 1935. The bridleway is off the road on the upper right.

After a couple of hours we had managed to coax the water into one main channel down the side of the track. This will reduce erosion on the track itself and make the journey for two (or four) legged walkers considerably drier.

 

Channel cleared and water flow now more controlled.

Footpath atop the banking cleared to make passage near the boggy section a bit easier.

TODMORDEN - Ashenhurst and Stile

 There were two teams out from Todmorden today. We had originally planned a number of tasks up on "The Tops" but the weather forecast made us reconsider our plans.

Team 1 (Duncan and Ken): cutting back brambles on Tod 028 at Stile

Team 2 (David, Ian V and Kasher): drainage work above Tod 029 at Ashenhurst 

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your support.

Drainage work off Tod 029 at Ashenhurst

Cutting back on Tod 028 off Stile Rd.

Team 1: Cutting back at Stile

This short urban path was becoming completely over-run by brambles. These have been cut back so the path is now much easier to walk. We will return in the Spring to cut-back the brambles as they start to grow. We will also need to install more short yellow-topped marker posts on the hillside section.

Tod 028: before.

Tod 028: after.

Team 2: Drainage work

Tod 029 has always been an exceptionally wet path. We were asked by residents in the area if we could try to clear some of the overgrown and silted up drainage channels on the hillside above the path. We have cut-back the area, cleaned out the drains, cleared the stream channels and replaced sandbags etc. The hillside is exceptionally wet. Seepage of water down towards the path and the houses beyond, will be difficult to stop completely. This may be a job that will need the intervention of Calderdale Council.

Ian clearing the fast flowing stream.

At least its easier to see where the water is
now flowing!

Clearing a large number of drainage cross-channels.

Ian and Kasher: slightly damp and exceptionally
muddy!

We went back to check on nearby drainage work
undertaken a few weeks ago. The drainage
channels are still flowing. Hooray!

WALSDEN - continuation of steps and surveying at Greenhurst Hey

 We had hoped that this would be the final session of work on the steps between Inchfield Road and the Recreation Ground in Walsden. Although this was session 4 on the steps between Carriage Drive and Inchfield Road, we are debating whether just a little more work might be needed . . 

RJ and Kasher installed several steps at the top of the gracefully sweeping new flight although more time than expected was spent on removing 'hidden' wooden risers and their decayed stobs, and having then to create holes for new stobs . . . just where the tree roots were at their densest!

We have also installed a new markerpost for this route. 

We then moved on Greenhurst Hey where, a few weeks ago, we had removed a large oak tree. We will need to undertake some work here in the Spring: improving a stream crossing; resetting a set of stone steps; creating more steps to ease access to a gate; putting in revetments etc etc. Today's visit has allowed us to gain a better idea of all the tasks needed.

Returning to the car, we added waymarks to the TCW link path near The Wizard!

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks to all for helping to keep our footpaths and bridleways open for all to enjoy.

Steps off Carriage Drive, Walsden

Surveying near Greenhurst Hey East.

The position of the final steps being sorted out.

The markerpost in position.

The "final" three steps in place.

Near Greenhurst Hey: sorting out a stream crossing.

The path from the stream to the gate needs to be sorted.

RJ and The Wizard.

Getting dog-friendly at Old Chamber

Guy and Stella just managed to recognise each other in the dense morning mist at Old Chamber, where we had been asked to try and install dog-gates to two existing and rather tricky stiles.  Happily this proved possible. 

 

However the north side of this wall-stile is still difficult for both walkers and dogs.  We have now discussed a plan with the landowner and hope to improve this in the next couple of months.

Today's work was funded by individual donations to CROWS.  We couldn't do it without you - thank you!

Hebden Bridge: In the mist. It's a stile!

 Hebden Bridge: Wicken Hill on the Golf Course Boundary.

The forecast predicted: "Will feel like -2 Celsius.". It wasn't wrong as Paul and Frank H worked in a light but chill breeze on the misty, finger-freezing, edge of Hebden Bridge (Mount Skip) Golf Course (see map).

1. Worksite location. Chilliest spot in town!

The day had started slowly. The inevitable traffic roadworks on the main valley road made for extended journey times . . . although it wasn't without literary entertainment (see picture 2).

2. Sign of the times?

Although we were able to park at Wicken Hill 'Farm' there was still a slippery, uphill carry of tools and materials to the stile that needed essential repairs.

3. Earlier inspection: Rot in treadboards
and in both step-legs on the golf course side.

The Detail.

Rot in the step-leg timbers was extensive.

4. Rotten leg!

5. More rot!

The plan was to replace both legs (on the golf course side of the stile) and both treadboards. The only obstacle to this was the deeply and firmly buried rotten stumps of the old legs. However, enthusiastic excavation (Well done, Paul!) and use of lifting straps soon revealed two useful holes . . . ideal (with a bit of extra deepening) for the new legs.

6. New legs being packed.  

The legs on both sides of the stile were cross-braced and the top barbed wire strand of the fence (very rusty!) near the stile side-upright protected with a plastic sleeve.

Some time later we could make the downhill return carry pleased that the stile is now safe, secure and easily negotiated.

7. End result: Stable, two-step stile.

Many thanks to Wicken Hill 'Farm' for allowing us to park as close to the job as possible and thanks to Midgley Community Forum for funding the work.

More in the coming weeks where stiles and steps will continue to feature strongly!