TODMORDEN (above Fiddler's Bridge)

Fiddler's Bridge: steps 

A footpath (Todmorden 085) ascends from Fiddler's Bridge (just beyond Lydgate) towards Roundfield. This spectacular path has a section below Eagle Crag and Barewise Wood that needs revetment and steps. Today's task for Mick and Frank H was to make a start on constructing steps.

Ideally for constructing steps you need fine weather, safe footing and amenable ground conditions. We got none of that! It was increasingly wet, slippery underfoot and the ground only yielded to savage attacks with Mick's heavy bar (the use of which Mick delegated to Frank!).

Here's the location:

1. Close-up of the steep, badly eroded
path that needs steps.

The basics of the work are simple - cut-out and level the tread area for the first step; drive the bar into the ground to make two holes for the anchoring stobs; make sure the face of the riser is vertical and its top edge is horizontal; hammer the stobs into place; drill pilot holes into the stobs and nail through to the riser; tidy tread area and bank the exposed side of the step . . . then repeat!

Mmm! Lots of 'grunt' work here - good job Frank was warmed-up by his efforts on Wed and Thur!

Some time later:

2. Good view of the spectacular location and of Mick
multi-tasking by simultaneously eating lunch
and keeping an eye on the yellow spirit level!

End of session:

3. Steps in place with level tread areas
and some banking completed on the
precipitous right of picture.

The work planned for next week will involve more steps and a considerable amount of revetment to secure the path edge on the approach to the steps.

Today's work was funded by the 'Todmorden Wind Farm Fund' accessed through the 'Community Foundation for Calderdale'. Many thanks.