RYBURN RESERVOIR - steps finished and work on the Gig Mill- Ryburn Dam path

 Today was a special day as it saw the return of our friend Bernard after 12 months of shielding. He joined Lynda and Eleanor in one of his favourite jobs - sorting out drainage towards the end of the path down from Gig Mill to Ryburn Dam. 

 Bernard in his natural habitat up to his hocks in mud!

 We reckoned that the path hadn't been cleared of mulch for some 20 years and water seeping from the land above plus one or two bubbling springs had turned this section of the path into a quagmire, increasingly deterring walkers from using it. 

A channel has been dug out under the wall and mud piled up at the side. Hopefully it will dry out and create a natural barrier as the water runs down this side channel rather than across the whole path. Lynda and Bernard scraped the mud off the path to form a passable walkway while the mud dries out. Work in progress as there are similar  boggy sections further down the path. We also made a start on pulling out the brambles and cutting back the holly that intrude into the line of the path.

 

Frank H and Stella returned to this lovely spot to complete the steps down to the bridge. Just like last week there was dappled sunshine, calling nuthatches and impenetrable bedrock.  To work with, rather than fight against, the bedrock we widened and slightly re-arranged the path at the top, the better to incorporate the rock into the path and the upper steps.  We also uncovered and slightly re-directed a turnby, built to take water off the path in heavy rain.  

It's always nice to work on a path which is well-used, and we chatted with several folk passing through today.  This job was quite a challenge but a pleasure to do.  

The work has been funded by Ripponden Parish Council.

The location

Starting on the tricky bit

Coming along...

....step by step (ha! ha!)

Final arrangement

 

Overview:

Although it's difficult to pick out detail in the pictures, the old steps that had done well to survive a couple of decades of South Pennine wet woodland conditions, have now been replaced by steps in wood or stone.

The original stonework for the tread area of the steps was exceptionally well done in the first place (credit to a youthful version of Mick Chatham!) and CROWS tried to disturb this a little as possible.

The end result is a flight that winds its way upwards and exits, in a much less precarious fashion, onto a level section high above Hutch Brook.

Safety, security and durability have all been improved . . . a triumph of function over form!