TODMORDEN: Gut Royd Wood

Gut Royd Farm:

A clear, bright day for Ian V and Frank H to work on the path (Todmorden 178) that leads past Gut Royd Farm into Gut Royd Wood. A set of steps needed installing to allow walkers easier access out of the woodland. 

Here's the problem:

Start of the session.

The preferred route out of the wood is steep and slippery. The plan was to build a curving flight of steps that would stabilise the bank and create an easier ascent for walkers.

The only ground issue seemed to be some tree roots and the footings of a ruined drystone wall.

End of the session.

View from below

  

View from above

A flight of six steps has been installed with 200 mm height risers and 600 mm x ~65 mm diameter stobs. The treads have been hammered flat, the sides of the flight have been banked, landscaping has been done and a short stretch of the path leading into the wood has been graded. The old wall footing were  problematic only for the bottom step . . . but the general principle of 'hit it harder' seemed to do the trick! 

The day was almost idyllic - enough winter sun to cast shadows, no wind, a wooded slope above a cascading stream, some friendly alpacas in a nearby field, distant views of Stoodley Pike and a trickle of passing walkers to compliment CROWS on the quality of their efforts.

Today's work was funded by the landowners who have an environmentally sound approach to the maintenance of their property and its rights-of-way. Many thanks.