Tuesday 25 January 2022

TODMORDEN: Walsden

Walsden: Ramsden Lane 

It was a cool, cloudy but calm day for Ray and Frank H to continue with work on the ruined steps that lead up from Ramsden Lane towards Ramsden Wood.

An earlier picture.

These steps were put in more than twenty years ago. The quality of the work was good but two decades of South Pennine weather and heavy usage has taken its toll. 
Risers, revetment and stobs are now rotten. The wall section near the top has shifted, risers are sagging downhill and tread areas have a slippery, sloping surface. The overall condition is far worse than the picture suggests!




Today's plan was for Ray to finish the work at the bottom of the flight and then join Frank to complete the intricate construction at the top. We had our 'plan A' . . .  and it worked . . . amazing!

Towards the end of the session:- 
view from below.

Another lower step is in place. The spacing of the original steps has been tweaked and the flight rises with a slight left-hand curve before swinging right then left to blend into the path that leads up the slope.

Side areas have been tidied - we hope that plant growth will flourish in the Spring.

Missing is the bold Robin that that appeared and feasted on any worms that we unearthed, but disappeared before a picture could be taken!






Towards the end of the session:- 
view from above.

A rather grey picture to match the grey (but fine) day. 
The perspective is tricky, but all risers are now horizontal and the well-packed tread areas are flat. Descending these steps is no longer the precarious undertaking that it was! 
The final steps down onto the road, however, can be wet. They collect rainwater that drains through the shale layers in the banking above. There is little that can be done about this without excavating, wall dismantling and pipe laying -  not a cost-effective option in these cash-strapped times!

Work funded by donations to CROWS. Many thanks.