BLACKSHAW HEAD: Edge Lane

 Edge Lane: stile (the main course)

Today (blue-skied but becoming cloudy) saw Ray, Jan and Frank H continuing Monday's work (see blog) of replacing a dilapidated stile on footpath Heptonstall 014.

1. Early in the session

Ray is re-tensioning the stock fence to the new straining post while Jan is dismantling the old stile whose side posts had also doubled as strainers.

The old stile may look to be OK, but everything below ground level was rotten - some of it to pulp!

The old side posts were not very far into the ground. A band of thick shale seemed to have been the problem.

2. Some time later

All the stock fence is now re-attached.

New, stile side-post are deeply in place. We battered through the shale with the heavy bar!

An upper, full-width cross-rail spans from new strainer to new strainer but is also fixed to the new side-posts.

Jan is dismantling the steps of the old stile that had been buried to adequate depths - or just about, according to Frank who's picky about this sort of detail!

3. End of session . . . and it was a long session!

. . . but will it take the weight of a BSW (British Standard Walker)? . . . 

4. Stress test!

. . .  . never in doubt - all 85 kg.

One more part session will be needed (probably on Friday) when . . .

A lower step will be fixed in place.

Suitable signage -  'Right of Way' disk and 'Dogs on Lead' plaque - will be attached.

The approaches to the stile will be landscaped.

This work has been funded by a donation from the Blackshaw Head Fell Race. Many thanks.