Flailcroft: flights of steps (session 1)
A stunning, blue-skied Upper Calder Valley day saw a team of six Crows making a start on replacing flights of steps just below Flailcroft Farm on the footpath (Todmorden 082) that leads down to Scaitcliffe Wood.
The steps are in two sections (a lower flight and an upper flight) and are awkward to negotiate. Rotting stobs, decaying riser edges, collapsing tread areas and irregular spacing meant the best solution was a total replacement.
The work is being funded by a donation from the Todmorden Wind Farm Fund accessed through the 'Community Foundation for Calderdale'. Many thanks.
The detail
1. The Start
The picture show a level section that separates the two flights. The upper flight is just visible in the far background. The lower flight is out of view below the bottom edge of the picture. In total at least 30 steps will need to be constructed . . . the job is not going to be done in a day!
2. The Upper Flight
Ian V, Neil M, Kasher and Ken formed the work squad.
Discussion time. Ian and Neil are pondering the best approach while Fred, on the way up the steps to collect equipment, is offering technical advice.
Work in progress. So far, so good. Ian is looking cheerful, but will the spacing be a problem? - it's a compromise between riser height and tread depth.
Towards the end of the session. Steps in place and looking neat with horizontal riser tops and sufficient tread area between risers. No pictures, unfortunately, of Kasher or Ken who both put in an energetic shift . . . but were behind the camera lens rather than in front of it!
3. The Lower Flight
Meanwhile, Fred and Frank H tackled the bottom end of the steps, although the start of the work proper was delayed by having to dig out a protruding, redundant step leg. It was very long and very firmly packed - a tribute to the original installer but a 'pig' to get out!
Fred and Frank in action levering out old risers and stobs. Safety note: the picture gives a foreshortened view. The heavy bar that Fred is wielding is nowhere near Frank's head!
End of session. Five new steps in place. Neat construction work but some landscaping of tread areas still to do . .. along with at least another seven steps!
More next week probably on Wednesday as well as Friday!
