HEBDEN BRIDGE - riverside path

Today was an urgent call out for Stella, Rich and Jerry to deal with a collapse on the riverside edge of this popular path. The task was to contain the breach of the path to prevent further erosion. Thanks to an individual donation for the work today. 

 

The collapse of this path was reported to CROWS (many thanks) and after inspection we decided prompt action was needed. Although small at the moment, further collapse could easily result in the closure of the path. 

 Although the collapse was small, the bank was being undercut, so we decided to install some revetment to stabilise the edge. 

Establishing the edge

 

First section in. More now to cut to size

Fixing everything together

Back filled

Emergency repair finished

 We hope today's emergency repair will deal with this problem for a while. However, we discovered that there are several similar problems (created by erosion and neglect) along this popular path. 

We will return to do some vegetation control and carry out a detailed survey but maintaining this path and dealing with all its problems is way beyond the resources of CROWS. An alternative long term solution will be needed. 

Brearley: Slippery times at Brearley bends.

 Brearley: Old stone steps and new wooden risers.

On a day when the threat of heavy rain never materialised, Ian S and Frank H worked in muddy, slippery conditions on the right of way (Hebden Royd 037 at Brearley bends) that goes from the Burnley Road to Lower Ewood (see map).

1. Map: the blue index marks the worksite

The plan was to clear debris from the existing stone steps and then, just beyond a one-step stile, start the installation of a flight of wooden steps up a muddy bank - one of those 'steeper than it looks' banks! 

The details.

It was spades, azads, shears and loppers to the fore as bramble, tussocky grass and miscellaneous overgrowth was cut back from both sides of the stone steps.

2. Stone steps before: Mmm! Generally messy!

Some time later: 

3. Stone steps after: Clean as a whistle
(more or less!)

We also cleared overgrowth from the sides of the steep, slippery, glutinous path just beyond the stile so installation of wooden steps could begin.

4. By lunchtime: four neat (but muddy) steps in place.

The last step was not without its problems. Significant roots appeared just where risers and stobs had to be placed such that judicious sawing (hopefully with minimum disruption to the tree-root network and the mycorrhizosphere) was needed. 

Post-lunch it was more of the same with the energy sapping tasks of digging, driving pilot holes and hammering stobs. However, despite the cramped and often awkward-angle working conditions further steps were installed to start a graceful sweeping curve up the bank.

5. End of session.

Up to four more steps may be needed and the tread areas would benefit from MOT or crusher-run infill. So far, so good - it's a work in progress.

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.