Daisy Bank Clough: the steps part 1
Once again we had a cool but sunny day in this secluded corner of the Upper Calder Valley. The task was for Mo and Frank H to start building steps upwards from the footbridge that CROWS installed last week.
This is how matters were originally:
Above left shows the state of the ground immediately after stepping off the southern end of the footbridge. Above right shows the continuation of the 'path' up towards the moor.
Some time later ...
The area just off the footbridge has been levelled, a side revetment installed and the surface stabilised.
Beyond, four steps are now in place to lead the walker in a sweeping curve up the banking.
Fitting the revetment was the tricky part of the work as sub-surface stonework of an old bridge limited the depth to which stobs could be driven. How CROWS got round this problem is a trade secret!
There are more steps to construct but these should be relatively straightforward and we hope the whole flight will be sturdy and aesthetically pleasing.
Meanwhile Mick C and Catherine C, as well as acting as aggregate sherpas (many thanks), continued preparatory work for steps beyond the northern end of the footbridge and sorted out a drainage problem.
This work was funded by donations to CROWS who would also like to thank the owners of Daisy Bank Barn for the help with parking, the loan of wheelbarrows and the supply of aggregate. Their very comfortable accommodation 'pods' should be completed by the end of May and offer an attractive holiday option for guests who wish to enjoy the peaceful seclusion of the South Pennines.
More step tales next week!
