TODMORDEN - Steps and Drainage

There were two teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: Catherine, Ken and Kasher continued the step replacement and step building on Tod 212 in Walsden

Team 2: Duncan and RJ went to Tod 029 above Ashenhurst to improve the drainage.

Today's work has been funded by generous individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks for supporting us to improve the footpaths and bridleways in our area.

Details:

Team 1: Last week we put in six steps on this slippery slope, which was littered with old stobs and the remnants of risers. This route goes from Inchfield Road to Carriage Drive and then to the corner of the Recreation Ground.

A further eight steps were constructed today which has made getting up this slope much easier.

We will need  a further work party on Tod 212 to install 6-8 more steps and a marker post.

Many thanks to the residents of Inchfield Manor who allowed us to park near to the worksite and then in their garden thus minimising the distance we had to travel with timber and tools. 

Team 2: We had been advised that the drainage on this piece of land at the top of Ashenhurst was particularly bad again. We normally visit this part a couple of times a year: once to cut back the brambles and other vegetation, and then a second time to improve the drainage. Hopefully the channels we have now dug will take the water off the path and into the main drainage system. It will, however, take some time for this land to dry out.

Drainage work above Ashenhurst (Tod 029)

Steps on Tod 212 in Walsden.

Team 1:

Catherine and Ken sorting out the first step of the day.

Checking that the riser is level.

Knocking in the stobs.

More stob bashing.

The flight of steps at the end of the work party. 

Team 2:

Drainage needed along Tod 029.

One of a large number of channels dug.

RJ cutting cross drainage channels.

Drainage channels across the pathway.

TODMORDEN - Tree at Greenhurst Hey

A very large oak tree at Greenhurst Hey above Todmorden was reported by a path user as it was gradually falling across the path and it wasn't clear whether it was stable. 

Thanks again for the expertise of Ian Clarkson and tor the donations to CROWS which funded the work.  

The tree was growing out of the bank of the clough with the top being supported by upper branches of a nearby tree. It wasn't at all clear which way it would fall and we were anxious not to allow any timber to fall in the clough. After a lot of pondering, a plan was made. The first stage was to remove several branches that were in the way of working. 

The next stage was to cut the main trunk then, to reduce the weight, it was sliced into sections. 

All the pieces were stacked on the edge of the path. 

 The top section of the tree looks very stable, so rather than cutting it all up, we decided to leave it. 

Although the path is now passable, we will be back to sort out some drainage, a stream crossing and a reroute of the path around the tree stump.  

 

 

OLD CHAMBER Hebden Bridge

You remember that rickety stile above the road from Old Chamber onto the footpath across the fields to Jumps?

Here

Well, it is rickety no more!  Andy & Stella beat the rain to dig out the rotten stile legs, and replace the step and cross-rails with new timbers.

The legs were rotten, the step very wobbly

And the ascent/descent from/to the road

                                                                                   is steep

 

Now you can step up...

...or down with confidence.

It may be possible to put a dog-gate in too but that needs discussion with the farmer about re-tensioning her stock-fence.  The next stile up the field is also tricky . . . we'll contact the landowner to see if any improvements can be made.

This work was funded by donations to CROWS. Thank you.

RYBURN - Path 62 continued

Angus, Lynda and Rich continued working on this path towards Old Ripponden Bank. Today's jobs were re-erecting a fingerpost, cutting back encroaching holly, three drainage issues and some waymarking. Today's work was funded by Calderdale Highways. 

Holly cut back, path now accessible

Reinvigorated post

Then it was on to three drainage issues where water was running over the path and, in each case, creating a quagmire. 

We were able to channel the water so the land will dry out and it will be easy to step over the channel. 

Channels and stepping stones

Washing the tools

Cutting back the path running with water (no longer)

 

The last job was to renew the yellow blobs on the trees through the beech wood so people can see where the path goes. 

We have about half-finished the work on this path, so we might take a break and do some earlier reported jobs. 
 

 

WALSDEN - step building

On a day when a large proportion of the country was covered in snow, Catherine, Ian V and Kasher decided to play it safe and to tackle a job 'not on the tops'. 

We decided to sort out the steps on Tod 212 in Walsden. This route goes from Inchfield Road to the Carriage Drive and then to the Recreation Ground off Scott Street. It was clear that sometime ago this route must have had a large number of steps to make getting up (and down) the slope easier. All that now remains are rotten timber risers and trip-hazard stobs.

Starting from the Carriage Drive and working up towards Inchfield Road we have extracted isolated stobs, removed the remnants of risers, cut back the path and constructed six new steps.

We will need a couple more sessions to complete this task.

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks to all for helping us to keep these paths open and safe for users.

Tod 212 in Walsden: steps to be replaced.

Remnants of stobs and wooden risers along the path.

The path needs widening and trip hazards removing.

Ian V and Catherine installing the first step.

The first step being completed.

Kasher and Ian working on the flight of steps.

Synchronised stob-bashing!

The completion of six steps up the slope
from the Carriage Drive.